“Yes, we can!”: Perceptions of collective efficacy behaviours in volleyball

Collective efficacy can be defined as a group’s shared confidence that they will successfully achieve their goal. The aim of this study was to investigate which observable behaviours are perceived as indicators of collective efficacy beliefs in a volleyball context. In Study 1, volleyball coaches from the highest Belgian volleyball leagues (n=33) indicated the most important indicators of collective efficacy. This list was then adapted based on the literature and on feedback given by an expert focus group, resulting in a 40-item questionnaire. In Study 2, coaches and players from all levels of Belgian volleyball (n=2365) rated these indicators on their predictive power for the final game outcome. A principal component analysis revealed that the 40 indicators could be divided into eight reliable scales. Positive supportive communication (e.g., enthusiasm after making a point) was identified as the most important predictor of winning a game. Negative emotional reactions (e.g., discouraged body language) were the most important predictors of a defeat. These findings offer a starting point for the design of continuous measurements of collective efficacy through observation.status: publishe