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How Confidence Works: The new science of self-belief, why some people learn it and others don't
'Brilliant ... it will change how you think about confidence.' Johann Hari
'Important for everyone but crucial for women.' Mary Robinson
'Interesting and important.' Steven Pinker
__________
Why do boys instinctively bullshit more than girls?
How do economic recessions shape a generation's confidence?
Can we have too much confidence and, if so, what are the consequences?
Imagine we could discover something that could make us richer, healthier, longer-living, smarter, kinder, happier, more motivated and more innovative. Ridiculous, you might say... What is this elixir?
Confidence.
If you have it, it can empower you to reach heights you never thought possible. But if you don't, it can have a devastating effect on your future. Confidence lies at the core of what makes things happen.
Exploring the science and neuroscience behind confidence that has emerged over the last decade, clinical psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Ian Robertson tells us how confidence plays out in our minds, our brains and indeed our bodies. He explains where it comes from and how it spreads - with extraordinary economic and political consequences. And why it's not necessarily something you are born with, but something that can be learned.
__________
'Rich stories and change-inspiring examples for every kind of performer.' Pippa Grange
'Important for everyone but crucial for women.' Mary Robinson
'Interesting and important.' Steven Pinker
__________
Why do boys instinctively bullshit more than girls?
How do economic recessions shape a generation's confidence?
Can we have too much confidence and, if so, what are the consequences?
Imagine we could discover something that could make us richer, healthier, longer-living, smarter, kinder, happier, more motivated and more innovative. Ridiculous, you might say... What is this elixir?
Confidence.
If you have it, it can empower you to reach heights you never thought possible. But if you don't, it can have a devastating effect on your future. Confidence lies at the core of what makes things happen.
Exploring the science and neuroscience behind confidence that has emerged over the last decade, clinical psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Ian Robertson tells us how confidence plays out in our minds, our brains and indeed our bodies. He explains where it comes from and how it spreads - with extraordinary economic and political consequences. And why it's not necessarily something you are born with, but something that can be learned.
__________
'Rich stories and change-inspiring examples for every kind of performer.' Pippa Grange
Audible Audio
Published June 3, 2021
91 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Ian H. Robertson
23 books56 followersIan Robertson is Professor of Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin and founding Director of Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience. Robertson is the first psychologist in Ireland to have been elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Robertson also holds the positions of Visiting Professor at University College London, Visiting Professor at Bangor University, University of Wales, and Visiting Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto. Robertson was previously a Senior Scientist at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge, where he was also a fellow at Hughes Hall. Robertson sat on the Wellcome Trust Neuroscience and Mental Health Committee from 2006–2011.
Robertson is Director of the NIEL programme (Neuroenhancement for Inequalities in Elder Lives[3]). He was founding director of Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience.
A graduate of Glasgow University, Robertson gained his Masters (Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry) and Doctoral (Neuropsychology) degrees at the University of London.
Ian Robertson has published over 250 scientific articles in leading journals, including Nature, Brain, Journal of Neuroscience, and Psychological Bulletin. Ian has also contributed to public communication and understanding of science, contributing regularly to The Times and The Daily Telegraph, he was also a columnist for the British Medical Journal. Robertson is author and editor of ten scientific books, including the leading international textbook on cognitive rehabilitation (Cognitive Neurorehabilitation), and several books for the general reader which have been translated into multiple languages.
Robertson is Director of the NIEL programme (Neuroenhancement for Inequalities in Elder Lives[3]). He was founding director of Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience.
A graduate of Glasgow University, Robertson gained his Masters (Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry) and Doctoral (Neuropsychology) degrees at the University of London.
Ian Robertson has published over 250 scientific articles in leading journals, including Nature, Brain, Journal of Neuroscience, and Psychological Bulletin. Ian has also contributed to public communication and understanding of science, contributing regularly to The Times and The Daily Telegraph, he was also a columnist for the British Medical Journal. Robertson is author and editor of ten scientific books, including the leading international textbook on cognitive rehabilitation (Cognitive Neurorehabilitation), and several books for the general reader which have been translated into multiple languages.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 4, 2022
The book is overall well referenced(For the quality of the references I cant vouch, but the references are there) and in reading/listening it made me reevaluate my conception of confidence,
shining light on the inbetween of how imagined happenings get to be concrete reality.
As Robertson is a neuroscientist, and studies the brain, he mentions different aspects of brainphysiology, in the process and phenomenon of confidence.
For example with a perceptive eye toward over-confidence, aspects of confidences relationships to dopamine get explored(not definitively). Too much dopamine in certain pathways = To much confidence? Come find out in the book what Robertsons take is. I will admitt I cant remember.
Overall the author does intend this book as an important case for the idea that confidence is inevitably what can hold societies together. Hence the importance of the topic.
Confidence has many functions and appearances that are often overlooked or when mentioned dismissed.
For example he is reporting in one chapter on the impact of socialisation on confidence. How gender role or ethnic based stereotypes impact current societies through confidence of ability.
And how that in turn feeds back to impact ability.
The often propagated notion that females are innately less visual spacial and thus less reliable in engineering than males comes to mind.
As I have heard from many different sides, mathematicians, parents, to fellow students, math education is most often problematic enough in engaging any subject. Few are willing to give it their all, for even fewer a passionate spark gets to be lit. Which is not a really confidence boosting state of affairs.
And that also in the male sex, that has been supposed to be innately more gifted.
It is thus not difficult to understand that getting told you are innately worse off in doing math than others, who seem to be mostly bad off at it also, is seldom an encouragement.
Another tidbit I found interesting enough to remember:
How failure is dealt with in different cultures reveals that an approach less focused on ensuring confidence can lead for people to engage more in the humbling experiences of focusing to improve where you are not yet sufficient. So it is self reinforcing.
That in contrast to focusing on your strengths and pursuing them so the idea of always having been a prodigy does not vanish. Something that I find in my behavior ever so often.
At times the book felt a little too over generalized,
"it is this way, source statistical study x"
and it took some consideration for me to find the rating that felt right to me. It is a good book with not the utmost compelling style of presentation, and perhaps not an end all discussion book on the subject matter(But what is?).
Yet all in all it is a solid presentation of the importance of confidence. And some scientific tidbits to remember or forget, as you and your brain see fit.
That being said most of the studies were statistical and statistics naturally have a place in explaining something. But massively using statistical studies fail for me to satisfy the "why itch" on their own.
Acknowledged it is a broad topic, so certain limitations had to be made somewhere, and the product is: What has been to chosen to be written about is written about in an informing manner.
So thats solid. Let's leave the pedanctics there.
You won't transform over night into a person without issues of self esteem, neither will you understand everything about confidence, or you might, I don't feel confident I do,
but at least the phrase "confidence is key" will have some more associations.
shining light on the inbetween of how imagined happenings get to be concrete reality.
As Robertson is a neuroscientist, and studies the brain, he mentions different aspects of brainphysiology, in the process and phenomenon of confidence.
For example with a perceptive eye toward over-confidence, aspects of confidences relationships to dopamine get explored(not definitively). Too much dopamine in certain pathways = To much confidence? Come find out in the book what Robertsons take is. I will admitt I cant remember.
Overall the author does intend this book as an important case for the idea that confidence is inevitably what can hold societies together. Hence the importance of the topic.
Confidence has many functions and appearances that are often overlooked or when mentioned dismissed.
For example he is reporting in one chapter on the impact of socialisation on confidence. How gender role or ethnic based stereotypes impact current societies through confidence of ability.
And how that in turn feeds back to impact ability.
The often propagated notion that females are innately less visual spacial and thus less reliable in engineering than males comes to mind.
As I have heard from many different sides, mathematicians, parents, to fellow students, math education is most often problematic enough in engaging any subject. Few are willing to give it their all, for even fewer a passionate spark gets to be lit. Which is not a really confidence boosting state of affairs.
And that also in the male sex, that has been supposed to be innately more gifted.
It is thus not difficult to understand that getting told you are innately worse off in doing math than others, who seem to be mostly bad off at it also, is seldom an encouragement.
Another tidbit I found interesting enough to remember:
How failure is dealt with in different cultures reveals that an approach less focused on ensuring confidence can lead for people to engage more in the humbling experiences of focusing to improve where you are not yet sufficient. So it is self reinforcing.
That in contrast to focusing on your strengths and pursuing them so the idea of always having been a prodigy does not vanish. Something that I find in my behavior ever so often.
At times the book felt a little too over generalized,
"it is this way, source statistical study x"
and it took some consideration for me to find the rating that felt right to me. It is a good book with not the utmost compelling style of presentation, and perhaps not an end all discussion book on the subject matter(But what is?).
Yet all in all it is a solid presentation of the importance of confidence. And some scientific tidbits to remember or forget, as you and your brain see fit.
That being said most of the studies were statistical and statistics naturally have a place in explaining something. But massively using statistical studies fail for me to satisfy the "why itch" on their own.
Acknowledged it is a broad topic, so certain limitations had to be made somewhere, and the product is: What has been to chosen to be written about is written about in an informing manner.
So thats solid. Let's leave the pedanctics there.
You won't transform over night into a person without issues of self esteem, neither will you understand everything about confidence, or you might, I don't feel confident I do,
but at least the phrase "confidence is key" will have some more associations.
February 22, 2023
“Confidence, then, is the words you say to yourself, in part. And given that we can choose what we say to ourselves, we can, to some extent, control our level of confidence.”
Confidence is a very important aspect in life and everyone needs it. It is necessary and discussed even in the field of economy, politics and life in general. It is always closely related to the self-esteem yet, it is two different things.
Robertson explains that confidence is divided into four different types, namely:
1. Can’t do/can’t happen
2. Can’t do/can happen
3. Can do/can’t happen
4. Can do/can happen
Each of these types yield a different thought, emotion and brain activity pattern.
The author goes at length in explaining on how confidence actually shaped by the societal culture. Meaning to say, different culture in a different country carries a different level of confidence. It is also a fact that confidence is harnessed on the individual and also on a collective level.
For some reason, I think this book is suitable for business-minded and corporate people since the analogies and real-life examples used are more closely related to these kind of group.
Nevertheless, it teaches me a new perspective that I am able to examine the matter of confidence with a new insight.
Thank you @putrifariza & @times.reads for this copy!
Confidence is a very important aspect in life and everyone needs it. It is necessary and discussed even in the field of economy, politics and life in general. It is always closely related to the self-esteem yet, it is two different things.
Robertson explains that confidence is divided into four different types, namely:
1. Can’t do/can’t happen
2. Can’t do/can happen
3. Can do/can’t happen
4. Can do/can happen
Each of these types yield a different thought, emotion and brain activity pattern.
The author goes at length in explaining on how confidence actually shaped by the societal culture. Meaning to say, different culture in a different country carries a different level of confidence. It is also a fact that confidence is harnessed on the individual and also on a collective level.
For some reason, I think this book is suitable for business-minded and corporate people since the analogies and real-life examples used are more closely related to these kind of group.
Nevertheless, it teaches me a new perspective that I am able to examine the matter of confidence with a new insight.
Thank you @putrifariza & @times.reads for this copy!
April 7, 2022
I decided to give this a go after listening to Robertson’s interview on the Blindboy podcast. I wouldn’t normally read this kind of thing but I enjoyed it! I really appreciate his way of making concepts accessible to a layman like me with real-life examples and case studies. Also I find his Scottish dulcet tones on his audiobook very relaxing.
June 13, 2021
Annoyingly folksy in its approach but full of useful information and is well-referenced.
February 14, 2024
This is an interesting read covering a vast body of social science, from clarifying the definition of confidence (and contrasting it with mere self-esteem) to exploring gender differences and the impact of confidence on self-esteem, politics, and the economy. I enjoyed the conceptual part of the book but didn't appreciate its verbosity and the lack of a clear link between the described research and the conclusions drawn. For example, does noticing the background of a picture more than the details really mean that someone thinks more abstractly? And is it accurate to conclude that older people voting for Brexit is solely due to a decline in bad-news processing? In short, while the book offers some interesting insights into confidence and its effects, finishing it was a bit of a drag!
October 2, 2025
CAN DO. WILL HAPPEN. These two statements define the primary mindset of those who convert will into action. To bring this mindset into being, it is imperative one establishes confidence in themselves and in the goals they seek to realize. This can be done through improving mastery, concise attention, realistic goal setting, and incremental success attainment that compounds over time. An abundance of confidence makes individuals appear more knowledgeable and magnetic. This in turn can bring about greater wealth attainment, a healthier quality of life, and a greater ability to enter a flow state. While confidence plays an extremely important role in one’s life, it is also important to note that an overabundance can lead to dangerous delusions, especially when in the hands of leaders.
I also want to add that from a historical point of view, I believe confidence has been a key driver in nearly all the breakthroughs of the past. When we examine the ancient aqueducts of Rome or the paintings of Renaissance Italy, we are witnessing the manifestation of abundant confidence. It is a contiguous state of mind, both when in surplus or in deficit. And given its infectious nature, it is no wonder it has become such a rare commodity today. In a world where we are constantly relayed scenes of tragedy from screens, the collective mind of America has become hollowed by anxiety about the future. If one is to stem the tide of a world leaking this catalyzing asset, it is imperative that individuals shake off the shackles of labeled victimhood and embrace a mindset of growth.
However, given all the important lessons in this book, I do not believe I can recommend it. There is simply too much filler. Additionally, the diatribes throughout seem to have a more political, left-leaning bent than any real textual value. This is especially evident in the conclusion of the book, where Professor Robertson states that men abuse leadership more than women. While there are many examples in history where male overconfidence has failed, it is also important to note that female leadership is not immune to such pitfalls, as can be seen in cases like Elizabeth Holmes or Empress Anna of Russia.
Although I cannot recommend this book due to its pronounced biases, I did find certain ideas—such as converting anxiety into excitement, or how too much deliberation can sap confidence—to be of real value. It may be of value to you as well.
I also want to add that from a historical point of view, I believe confidence has been a key driver in nearly all the breakthroughs of the past. When we examine the ancient aqueducts of Rome or the paintings of Renaissance Italy, we are witnessing the manifestation of abundant confidence. It is a contiguous state of mind, both when in surplus or in deficit. And given its infectious nature, it is no wonder it has become such a rare commodity today. In a world where we are constantly relayed scenes of tragedy from screens, the collective mind of America has become hollowed by anxiety about the future. If one is to stem the tide of a world leaking this catalyzing asset, it is imperative that individuals shake off the shackles of labeled victimhood and embrace a mindset of growth.
However, given all the important lessons in this book, I do not believe I can recommend it. There is simply too much filler. Additionally, the diatribes throughout seem to have a more political, left-leaning bent than any real textual value. This is especially evident in the conclusion of the book, where Professor Robertson states that men abuse leadership more than women. While there are many examples in history where male overconfidence has failed, it is also important to note that female leadership is not immune to such pitfalls, as can be seen in cases like Elizabeth Holmes or Empress Anna of Russia.
Although I cannot recommend this book due to its pronounced biases, I did find certain ideas—such as converting anxiety into excitement, or how too much deliberation can sap confidence—to be of real value. It may be of value to you as well.
March 27, 2024
In all, this book held a lot of promise but I found gems of relevelation were relatively few. The chapter I found most interesting was 'The gender gap'. Interesting too was Ian Robertson's interpretation of national confidence and the consequences when confidence turns... unfortunately, though, his interpretations - to me - often read as rather simplistic.
It's a substantial text but I found it repetitive and sometimes too generalising. Though I saw it through to the finish, I started to loose interest before the end. I think the book attempts to be too far reaching. There is an enormous quantity of source notes at the end - Ian Robertson has clearly drawn far and wide in bringing this book together. I think he would be a very interesting person to talk with - then it might be possible to pursue his ideas with more intensity and focus.
It's a substantial text but I found it repetitive and sometimes too generalising. Though I saw it through to the finish, I started to loose interest before the end. I think the book attempts to be too far reaching. There is an enormous quantity of source notes at the end - Ian Robertson has clearly drawn far and wide in bringing this book together. I think he would be a very interesting person to talk with - then it might be possible to pursue his ideas with more intensity and focus.
March 30, 2025
This deeply-researched, authoritative, broad-reaching, insightful and compelling book unpacks the concept of confidence across multiple frames - the pillars of confidence, gender-based differences and contrasts in national confidence between countries.
Casting confidence as a resource that pays compounding dividends, Robertson shows how it is a foundational component of success in career, relationships and other aspects of life. Robertson sees action as the key fuel for confidence - moving from a deliberative to an implemental mindset - breaking down intent into concrete, specific, do-able actions.
A strong recommend for people exploring the theoretical, research-grounded basis of confidence - and those to want to apply those findings to their everyday life.
Casting confidence as a resource that pays compounding dividends, Robertson shows how it is a foundational component of success in career, relationships and other aspects of life. Robertson sees action as the key fuel for confidence - moving from a deliberative to an implemental mindset - breaking down intent into concrete, specific, do-able actions.
A strong recommend for people exploring the theoretical, research-grounded basis of confidence - and those to want to apply those findings to their everyday life.
July 9, 2022
I listened to a lecture on confidence by Ian Robertson which summarised the most interesting parts of the book. The lecture raised my expectations for what the rest book might contain.
You can see my disappointment in the rating.
I found the first third of the book interesting, engaging and well structured. What I read of the rest of the book seemed repetitive and simply filled with randomly related research.
I suggest you find a copy in your library, read to the first point of boring repetition and return it quickly, so someone else can be spared the mistake of buying it.
You can see my disappointment in the rating.
I found the first third of the book interesting, engaging and well structured. What I read of the rest of the book seemed repetitive and simply filled with randomly related research.
I suggest you find a copy in your library, read to the first point of boring repetition and return it quickly, so someone else can be spared the mistake of buying it.
April 24, 2025
My key highlight of the book is that confidence is a belief on if "we can do" something and the belief that if we do that thing, then "change will happen". For that reason, since is something in our minds, it can be controlled up to some extent. We can influence our confidence based on our thinkings, in how we see ourselves, but also in how we behave, in our relationships, what we do.
Self-esteem is about the past, confidence about the future.
"Just believe in yourself. Even if you don't pretend that you, and at some point, you wil".
I liked the story of the golf player 😀
Self-esteem is about the past, confidence about the future.
"Just believe in yourself. Even if you don't pretend that you, and at some point, you wil".
I liked the story of the golf player 😀
February 19, 2023
Interesting read with clearly articulated concepts. My only criticism is the whole Kim character, while I understand she existed to demonstrate key points, the examples of public figures and events were far more compelling in comparison.
Confidence is intuitive for me, so it was nice to have it formally defined and dissected. It has informed and thus empowered me to be even more confident.
Thanks Ian!
Confidence is intuitive for me, so it was nice to have it formally defined and dissected. It has informed and thus empowered me to be even more confident.
Thanks Ian!
October 18, 2021
Most of the facts told in this book are quite intuitive, and some of them are not very comfortable, especially as a woman – though there are some encouraging outcomes from women’s leadership. Anyway, regardless of gender, it would be important to have a ‘proper’ level of confidence!
May 2, 2022
Love this one. The title sounds a little cliche self help but I found this up there with books like Thinking Fast and Slow etc., A fascinating look at the mechanisms and consequences of confidence (good and bad) and why some demographics have it more than others
September 4, 2022
100% worth it and would definitely recommend for everyone who is old enough to read it. It will help u understand so much about yourself, how the world works, and how u and the world benefits. To say, i am surprised. In a good way.
Valid selfhelp book!
I could go on and on...
Valid selfhelp book!
I could go on and on...
August 3, 2021
Just started it, very interesting read and nice breezy style of writing. Always enjoy listening to the guy. Instructive read for any individual.
January 20, 2022
Amazing
December 11, 2022
I listened to the audiobook, however it was so good I went and bought a copy and gave it to my son's to read.
January 1, 2023
Review on my Instagram :
www.instagram.com/trulybynia
www.instagram.com/trulybynia
January 26, 2023
IBrilliant! I need to read it again and take notes!
February 15, 2023
O carte despre încredere și lipsă de încredere care mie mi-a picat fix pe subiect în pandemie:
https://youtu.be/CAUx02Z3Ve8
https://youtu.be/CAUx02Z3Ve8
November 15, 2023
Am citit-o în română. Stilul nu e chiar simplu dar e accesibil publicului, dacă te concentrezi.
July 22, 2024
worthwhile read, a lot of political opinion not really needed but lots of tips and science to take in the book
May 9, 2025
Incredibly insightful. The last few paragraphs (conclusion) was amazing. The audiobook is beautifully read by the author. I really enjoyed this.
Read
May 8, 2022very obvious leftist agenda, but some good points in it which are worth re-reading
March 14, 2022
I love this book because it talks not just about one person but about politics and worldviews on how confidence works.
There are chapters on politics of Confidence and the confident economy.
I think that to get the most out of the book I will need to reread it sometime which I will do.
There are chapters on politics of Confidence and the confident economy.
I think that to get the most out of the book I will need to reread it sometime which I will do.
May 26, 2023
Great book
June 23, 2024
A good read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews