attribution theory

Question 1

what is the definition of attribution

Answer 1

The reason a performer gives for the cause of their success or failure

Question 2

what are the classifications and the 2 dimensions for them

Answer 2

Stability:
- stable - permanent factors which cannot be easily changed
- unstable - temporary factors which can be changed

Locus of control:
- internal (to the performer)
- external (to the performer)

Question 3

what are the 4 categories of Weiner’s model

Answer 3

ability, effort, task difficulty, luck

Question 4

what is internal stable category + an example

Answer 4

ability
e.g. we were too strong for the opposition

Question 5

what is internal unstable category + an example

Answer 5

effort
e.g. we had prepared well and gave it everything

Question 6

what is external stable category + an example

Answer 6

task difficulty
e.g. they were the team at the bottom of the league

Question 7

what is external unstable category + an example

Answer 7

luck
e.g. a lot of marginal decisions went our way

Question 8

draw Weiner’s model

Question 9

what is learned helplessness

Answer 9

The belief that failure is inevitable and that no control can be had over the causes of failure

Question 10

when can learned helplessness occur + example

Answer 10

• Learned helplessness can occur when a performer attributes failure to stable reasons, which offer no hope for change in the future.
• Eg: “I cannot perform this vault because I do not have the ability”.

Question 11

what do performers with learned helplessness attribute their success too, example + impact

Answer 11

• often attribute success to external factors, giving away credit.
• Eg: I won because my opponent was weak (task difficulty), or the pitch suited our style of play (luck).
• This gives away control over future success, and can reinforce further learned helplessness

Question 12

what can learned helplessness lead to, and how can we prevent learned helplessness

Answer 12

• leads to low self confidence, and to performers giving up very easily if success is not quickly achieved
• Learned helplessness is therefore a barrier to improved sports performance
• Attributing success internally and failure externally can prevent learned helplessness
• This is known as self serving bias and can be used to raise confidence in the short term.

Question 13

what is self serving bias

Answer 13

• This is a tendency for performers to attribute success to themselves (internal reasons) and failure to external and changeable reasons.
• e.g.It was the referee’s fault we lost
• Traditionally thought that winners attribute success to internal factors and losers, failure to external factors.
• This protects self esteem/ pride and maintains motivation

Question 14

how do we avoid learned helplessness

Answer 14

• Experience early success
• Realistic but challenging goals
• One to one attention
• Avoid social comparisons
• Mental rehearsal
• Performance goals rather than outcome goals
• Attribution retraining
• Use correct attributions ?

Question 15

what is attribution retraining

Answer 15

Coach changes the performers perception of failure, allow them to deal with it effectively and improve future performances

Question 16

what is mastery orientation

Answer 16

A high achiever who has a strong desire to succeed and expects to succeed

Question 17

what is mastery orientation linked with

Answer 17

• linked with high self confidence.
• These performers take on challenge and show persistence when faced with difficulty
• Mastery orientation allows performance to be optimised.
• Attributing success internally, and failure to internal unstable factors (effort) encourages mastery orientation.

Question 18

how do we encourage mastery orientation

Answer 18

Attributing success internally, and failure to internal unstable factors (effort) encourages mastery orientation.

Question 19

what is the 3rd dimension that Weiner added to the model

Answer 19

controllability

Question 20

what is controllability

Answer 20

This refers to the use of internal unstable (effort) attributions: the reasons the performer gives for success or failure are changeable factors which are within their control.

Question 21

what is the effect of controllability, when attributing effort for success

Answer 21

• Eg: We won the game because we had drilled our set plays in training
• The performer takes credit for success due to their effort, use of effective tactics etc
• This raises self confidence and encourages mastery orientation (the expectation that success is possible through hard work).

Question 22

what is the effect of controllability, when attributing effort for failure

Answer 22

• Eg: We lost because we didn’t work hard enough on defence
• The performer acknowledges that failure was due to insufficient preparation or other changeable reasons which are due to their efforts
• This gives them control over future success, provided that the performer has achievable goals and so can also raise self confidence.
• reduces learned helplessness