Mastering the impossible: Piloting an easier-than-expected magic intervention that acts as a source of self-efficacy.

Abstract

The greatest achievements often arise from challenging the status quo of what is thought to be possible. These types of achievements require certain beliefs about one’s capabilities, but little has been done to explore the value of imaginal self-efficacy sources. We conceptually argue that a potent source of self-efficacy is an actual mastery experience that is also perceived as impossible. As a result, this experience contains advantages of both imaginal and actual success experiences. In part, this result is due to the conscious awareness of social reactions to a seemingly impossible event. Based on this argument, we created a brief arts-based intervention that involved learning a simple magic trick to create an “imaginal mastery experience” and piloted the intervention by measuring its impact on self-efficacy. Our results suggest that the pilot intervention may have enhanced participants’ personal self-efficacy. Participants overestimated the difficulty of the trick, whereas their confidence in performing it increased. A thematic analysis of how participants perceived their audience’s social reaction revealed that the magic trick involved surprise, curiosity and interest, confusion, and other positive emotions. Psychological theories and directions for future work on developing this pilot intervention are discussed.

The effects of a magic‐based intervention on self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, and quality of life among community‐dwelling older adults: a randomised controlled trial

“…26 At the level of performing magic, participants gained unique knowledge and skills in performing magic tricks, positively impacting global self-esteem. 65 By performing acts considered impossible by others before an audience and receiving enthusiastic applause, participants gained self-efficacy, 43 a predictor of self-esteem for magicians. 66 Finally, performing magic for family members and friends after the course further enhanced participants' self-confidence, sense of accomplishment, and interaction with others.…”

“…Also, Bagienski et al . observed increased self‐efficacy in 75 adolescents after mastering a magic trick considered impossible 43 …”

“…42 Also, Bagienski et al observed increased self-efficacy in 75 adolescents after mastering a magic trick considered impossible. 43 Success in meeting expectations in a valuable area, such as magic, can increase self-esteem. 44 The self is created by the opinions of others 45 and performing magic helps to gain social support and build positive relationships, and may thus increase self-esteem.…”

“…42 Through a generalised self-efficacy, mastery of magic can be extended to other areas, particularly when magic is valued by the individual, and the self-efficacy of performing magic may mediate selfesteem enhancement. 43 In short, learning and performing magic tricks for an audience can improve self-esteem, a key aspect of psychological wellbeing, and potentially alleviate depressive symptoms in older adults. 23,46 Nonetheless, to date, only two studies have investigated the effects of magic-based intervention on the mental health of older adults.…”

“…The self is created by the opinions of others 45 and performing magic helps to gain social support and build positive relationships, and may thus increase self‐esteem 42 . Through a generalised self‐efficacy, mastery of magic can be extended to other areas, particularly when magic is valued by the individual, and the self‐efficacy of performing magic may mediate self‐esteem enhancement 43 . In short, learning and performing magic tricks for an audience can improve self‐esteem, a key aspect of psychological well‐being, and potentially alleviate depressive symptoms in older adults 23,46 …”