Final answer:
The claim that positive self-talk guarantees positive outcomes is false, although it can improve mindset and self-efficacy. Performance is influenced by various factors, and not solely by our thoughts or self-talk.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Positive self-talk guarantees positive performance outcomes" is false. Positive self-talk is the act of using supportive and affirming messages to oneself, which can increase self-efficacy, defined as your level of confidence in your own abilities. While positive self-talk can improve one's mindset and potentially lead to better performance, it does not guarantee positive outcomes. There are many variables that impact performance, like skills, external circumstances, and random chance. That being said, positive self-talk can contribute to a healthier self-concept and could help manage nerves in situations like when a businessman self-comforts about asking for a raise. Nonetheless, outcomes are not solely within our control and are not unequivocally determined by our thoughts or self-talk alone.