Attribution Theory Flashcards
What does attribution mean?
A perception of the reason for an outcome of an event.
Why are the reasons important?
They are vital to maintain motivation and effort - tasks persistence.
What did Weiner do?
He classified the reasons given for wining and losing and deduced that these reasons can fall into two sections, and he placed those sections on a matrix.
What is the locus of causality?
The point where a reason might be placed, looks at the amount of control the player had over the results and can be external or internal.
What’s the stability dimension?
Looks at how much the reasons for winning and losing can be changed, can be sub-divided into stable and unstable reasons.
What is meant by internal and external attributes?
Within the control of the performer
Out of the performers control (referee)
What are examples of internal and external?
Ability and effort
Task difficulty and luck
What are the two sections of the locus of control?
Internal
External
What are the two sections of the stability dimension?
Unstable
Stable
What is meant by unstable and stable attributes?
Changeable in a short amount of time
Relatively permanent. Unlikely to change in the short-term
What are examples of stable and unstable?
Ability and task difficulty
Effort and luck
What’s the most powerful when winning?
Internal/stable
When are internal and external used?
Win
Lose
What do low achievers attribute to?
Success externally
Failure internally
What do high achievers attribute to?
Success internally
Failure externally
What is self-serving bias?
Using external and/or unstable reasons for losing.
What does self serving bias do?
Helps to promote self-esteem.
To keep players happy and motivated, blame losing on a referee decision or bad luck.
How do performers use self-serving bias?
By attributing success to their own overwhelming outstanding qualities and thereby enhancing their feelings of pride, worth and self-esteem/efficacy.
Failure is automatically attributed to avoid internal controllable and stable factors, this is the self-serving bias, people tend to give attributions to protect their self-esteem.
Rather than look for true attributions which would reflect the reality of the situation.
What is learned helplessness?
Using internal stable reasons for losing.
Characteristics of learned helplessness?
A belief acquired over time That no one has control over events That failure is inevitable and success unlikely A feeling of hopelessness Doubts of their ability
What happens when learned helplessness spreads?
May believe they can’t play any sports successfully (becomes generalised).
E.g - someone feels they aren’t very good at all racket sports because of little success.
How can learned helplessness be developed?
By attributing failure to internal and stable factors.
Negative feedback and criticism.
Lack of success
Negative experiences
What is attribution retraining?
Changing the reasons given for success and failure, using strategies.
What’s the key to attribution retraining?
To change the perception and belief of the sportsperson by changing the reasons given for failure.
What should the coach do to overcome learned helplessness?
Refer to the Weiner model: Could change internal stable reasons for failure into external unstable ones.
Use attribution theory correctly.
Allow success in training.
Set realistic/achievable process and/or product goals.
Raise self-efficacy by using Bandura’s model.
Highlighting previous successful performances.
Give positive reinforcement and encouragement.
Using cognitive and somatic management techniques.
