THE INFLUENCE OF OUTCOME EXPECTANCY ON OPTIMISM, PESSIMISM, ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Expectations are instrumental in predicting performance quality (Solomon, 2002). According to the expectancy theory, what is expected to happen often does (Chase & Lirgg, 1997). Often, the underdog, or unexpected winner, will defeat the more likely winner creating questions as to the validity of the expectancy theory. Psychological variables related to expectations may contribute to the ability of the underdog to succeed in unexpected situations. Optimism refers to a positive expectation or perception of the future, and pessimism refers to a negative expectation or perception (Scheier & Carver, 1993). Anxiety, though often given a negative connotation, has shown facilitative effects on performance (Mellalieu, Hanton, & Jones, 2003). Whether anxiety is facilitative or debilitative to performance is based on the interpretation of anxiety, also termed direction. Individual levels of optimism and pessimism alter the interpretation of anxiety, with optimists experiencing less debilitative effects of anxiety (Wilson, Raglin, &amp