Attribution Theory

Question 0

Attributions are important because they hint the underlying beliefs of the players and coaches about the:

Answer 0

Reasons for success or failure and knowing these can help when preparing for the next contest

Question 1

Attributions are the reason we:

Answer 1

Give for the outcome of an event

Question 2

Attribution is closely linked to:

Answer 2

Motivation

Question 3

Process of attributing performance to specific causes has 3 stages:

Answer 3

Awareness of performance/behaviour
Accept that behaviour was intentional
Accept the behaviour is caused either by internal factors or external

Question 4

4 categories to attribution theory:

Answer 4

Ability
Effort
Luck
Task difficulty

Question 5

2 dimensions to attribution theory:

Answer 5

Casualty (internal or external)

Stability (stable or unstable)

Question 6

Third dimension added:

Answer 6

Controllability

Question 7

Self-serving bias is when we protect our self-esteem, confidence and motivation by:

Answer 7

Crediting external factors to loss

Attributing our success to internal factors when we win

Question 8

Attributing our success to:

Answer 8

Internal factors will develop our self-esteem (become more motivated)
Stable factors will develop our self-esteem and we are likely to become increasingly motivated

Question 9

Attributing our failures to:

Answer 9

Internal factors - believe we don’t have the ability and therefore may give up

Stable factors - lower our self-esteem and motivation to continue as we will see our failures as something that can’t be changed

Question 10

Performers are encouraged to:

Answer 10

View failure as a result of factors that are unstable and can be changed - prevents damage to self-esteem

Question 11

Coaches will also refer to:

Answer 11

External factors as an attribution for loss which are beyond performer’s control

Question 12

Learned helplessness is the state that occurs when a performer believes that…

Answer 12

Failure is inevitable and that they have no way of changing that outcome

Question 13

5 characteristics of learned helplessness are:

Answer 13

• Performer believes that they have limited ability
• Performer focused on outcome goals
• Performer is unwilling to try new skills or situations, believing that the skills will not work or that they cannot do it
• Performer attributes level of performance to stable, uncontrollable factors
• Performer do not believe that the things they have control over (effort) will make any difference

Question 14

Two types of learned helplessness are:

Answer 14

GENERAL (GLOBAL)

SPECIFIC

Question 15

Global LH is when

Answer 15

A person attributes failure to internal/stable factors

Applied to ALL sports

Question 16

Specific LH is when a person

Answer 16

Attributes failure to internal/stable factors

Applied to ONE sport

Question 17

Attribution retraining are

Answer 17

Methods of helping the performer to change the way that they explain the causes of success and failure

Question 18

In attribution retraining the performer is helped to look at

Answer 18

How they explain success or failure

Question 19

(AR) performers are encouraged to focus on explanation which allow

Answer 19

Future success, participation and motivation

Question 20

(AR) In particulate they learn to attribute failure to factors which they have

Answer 20

Control of that are EXTERNAL and that are UNSTABLE

Question 21

5 specific strategies that a coach could use to change their attributions are:

Answer 21

• Observe and listen to what players are saying - monitor their attributions
• Draw attention to progression/change
• Focus on process, task and mastery goals rather than outcome goals
• Collect and use statistics about a player’s contribution this will allow changes to be noted and future attainable targets set
• Try and ensure initial success to avoid LH