5.1 - attribution

Question 1

define attribution

Answer 1

a perception of the reason for an outcome of an event/ performance

Question 2

what is the locus of causality?

Answer 2

the control of the performer (internal) or out of their control (external)

Question 3

define internal attribute

Answer 3

within the performers control –> effort

Question 4

define external attribute

Answer 4

outside of the performers control –> the referee

Question 5

what is the stability dimension?

Answer 5

a permanent or changeable reason

Question 6

define unstable attribute

Answer 6

can change in a short amount of time –> luck

Question 7

define stable attribute

Answer 7

unlikely to change in a short amount of time –> quality of a team or ability

Question 8

what are the factors that affect attribution?

Answer 8

• refs decision
• your ability
• luck
• coaching you have received
• playing good team
• effort applied
• amount of practice

Question 9

what is Weiner’s attribution model?

Answer 9

where the stability dimension and locus of causality meet to produce attributions

• ability
• task difficulty
• luck
• effort

Question 10

what is the self serving bias?

Answer 10

• used to maintain motivation and task persistence
• using external and unstable reasons for losing
• internal and table reasons for winning
• avoid blaming ability

Question 11

how should a coach react to wins/losses?

Answer 11

• blame the ref/ weather (external unstable)
• praise effort
• reward ability
• maintains motivation (if attribute loss to internal stable –> motivation decreases)
• they are responsible for a positive result –> promotes self- esteem

Question 12

give an example of internal stable attributions and what happens when they are used to attribute a loss.

Answer 12

ability

• decrease confidence and motivation
• learned helplessness

Question 13

give an example of internal unstable attributions and what happens when they are used to attribute a loss.

Answer 13

effort

- maintains confidence and motivation

Question 14

give an example of external unstable attributions and what happens when they are used to attribute a loss.

Answer 14

luck

• self serving bias
• maintains motivation and confidence

Question 15

give an example of external stable attributions and what happens when they are used to attribute a loss.

Answer 15

task difficulty
- maintains confidence and motivation
(we can’t control it)

Question 16

what is learned helplessness?

Answer 16

using internal stable reasons for losing and blaming ourselves

• performer perceives failure as inevitable
• doubt in ability –> confidence lowered
• lack of effort/ motivation
• task persistence drops –> giving up is only option
• exhibit avoidance behaviour

Question 17

what are the two types of learned helplessness?

Answer 17

1. global / general learned helplessness

2. specific / situational learned helplessness

Question 18

what is global / general learned helplessness?

Answer 18

general sporting situations

- e.g not good at racket sports

Question 19

what is specific / situational learned helplessness?

Answer 19

specific sporting situations

- e.g not good at serving to win the match

Question 20

how do you stop learned helplessness?

Answer 20

• attribute success to internal stable factors

- use negative feedback and criticism

Question 21

how do you avoid learned helplessness?

Answer 21

• develop self confidence
• attribution retraining
• avoid social comparisons
• blame external causes
• goal setting (performance/task/process goals)
• mental rehearsal
• positive feedback / reinforcement
• motivate and allow early success
• vicarious experiences
• positive self talk
• ensure success and gradually increase task difficulty

Question 22

what is attribution retraining?

Answer 22

• a focus on positive attribution rather than negative

- shift of focus from internal to external factors

Question 23

how does attribution retraining work?

Answer 23

• change perceptions using the Weiner box
• stress personal improvement to improve self esteem
• explain early failure to maintain motivation
• don’t blame ability, blame luck
• remove learned helplessness, increases self confidence
• set realistic performance and process goals
• raise self efficacy using Bandura’s model
• highlight previous successful performances
• positive reinforcement/ encouragement