Abstract: This study reviews theoretical and experimental researches on self-confidence in about more than 30 years. The thesis makes a systematic exposition on the history and present situation of self-confidence studies in the west conceptually and structurally. And it summarizes the latest practical researches of self-confidence from 3 aspects: 1) difference researches on self-confidence. It includes sex differences, cultural differences and age differences in self-confidence; 2) Both ends and negative side researches of self-confidence. Three aspects are reviewed: overconfidence, under-confidence and self-doubt. 3) Researches on influencing factors of self-confidence. On this basis, it raises some questions in self-confidence researches and points out the future direction.

Key words: self-confidence, confidence judgment, self-doubt, confidence.