Attribution Theory

Question 1

What are attributions?

Answer 1

Attributions are the reasons that people give to explain events related to themselves or others. They may NOT be actual causes, but they are the perceived causes.

Question 2

Described the Two Dimension Model for Attribution

Answer 2

Question 3

What did they add to the Two Dimension model when it was revised?

Answer 3

They added a 3rd dimension, which was controllability.

Question 4

Why are Attributions important?

Answer 4

Attributional dimensions are related to expectancies for future success and emotions. Stable attributions will lead to a greater degree of certainty in future scenarios. An individual’s future expectancy will have an impact on their self-efficacy.

Question 5

What is Self-serving bias?

Answer 5

▪ Use attributions to maintain/protect heightened levels of self‐esteem and confidence

▪ If successful… – Attribute to internal, stable, controllable, and stable factors (e.g., ability, stable effort)

▪ If unsuccessful… – Attribute to external and unstable factors (e.g., luck of the opponent)

Question 6

What is Self-Handicapping?

Answer 6

Process of proactively avoiding threats to self‐ esteem via, any action or choice of performance setting that enhances the opportunity to externalise failure and to internalise success.

Question 7

What does Self-Handicapping allow you to implement?

Answer 7

Proactive self‐handicaps allow you to implement two protective strategies:

▪ Augmentation – Attribute internally when performance is good, despite external factors – e.g., Even through I was ill, I was able to overcome it and perform well

▪ Discounting – Attribute externally and discount personal factors when performance is bad – e.g., I lost because of excessive partying before the competition

Question 8

What can we say briefly about Self-serving bias and self-handicapping strategies?

Answer 8

Self‐serving bias and self‐handicapping strategies make use of attributions to protect self‐efficacy and self‐esteem