Attribution Theory Flashcards
Attribution
Perceived cause of events
Causality dimension
Internal cause/control
External cause/control
Stability
Permanent /changeable
Stable - unlikely to change short term
Unstable - change minute to minute
Self serving bias
Attributing success to internal and stable factors
Losing to external factors beyond our control
Learned helplessness
Blame yourself for losing (internal, stable) belief
Failure becomes inevitable
To counter it
Attributional retraining
Start to blame external factors
Learned helplessness types
Specific: one skill/sport
Global: fail at all
Coach techniques to counteract learned helplessness
- allow early success
- gradually increase difficulty
- make it fun
- explain early failure
- stress personal improvements
- blame external reasons for failure
- attribute success internally
Four categories of attribution as suggested by Weiner
Ability
Luck
Effort
Task difficulty
What are the three dimensions on which the four categories are placed
As suggested by wiener
Locus of causality (internal or external) Stability dimension (relatively unchanging or changing causes) Locus of control (extent to which the behaviour was in the performer's control)
Characteristics of learned helplessness
Belief of limited ability
Focus on outcome goals
Unwillingness to try new things
Attributing performance to stable, internal and uncontrollably factors
Belief that controllable factors will not be able to change the outcome
Attribution retraining
Changing the way in which they explain success and failure in order to allow success
Strategies used in attribution retraining
Try to ensure initial success
Focus on process rather than outcome
Monitor attributions by observing and listening to players
Setting future attainable targets
