Attribution Theory

Question 1

What does attribution mean?

Answer 1

A perception of the reason for an outcome of an event.

Question 2

Why are the reasons important?

Answer 2

They are vital to maintain motivation and effort - tasks persistence.

Question 3

What did Weiner do?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is the locus of causality?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What’s the stability dimension?

Answer 5

Looks at how much the reasons for winning and losing can be changed, can be sub-divided into stable and unstable reasons.

Question 6

What is meant by internal and external attributes?

Answer 6

Within the control of the performer

Out of the performers control (referee)

Question 7

What are examples of internal and external?

Answer 7

Ability and effort

Task difficulty and luck

Question 8

What are the two sections of the locus of control?

Answer 8

Internal

External

Question 9

What are the two sections of the stability dimension?

Answer 9

Unstable

Stable

Question 10

What is meant by unstable and stable attributes?

Answer 10

Changeable in a short amount of time

Relatively permanent. Unlikely to change in the short-term

Question 11

What are examples of stable and unstable?

Answer 11

Ability and task difficulty

Effort and luck

Question 12

What’s the most powerful when winning?

Answer 12

Internal/stable

Question 13

When are internal and external used?

Answer 13

Win

Lose

Question 14

What do low achievers attribute to?

Answer 14

Success externally

Failure internally

Question 15

What do high achievers attribute to?

Answer 15

Success internally

Failure externally

Question 16

What is self-serving bias?

Answer 16

Using external and/or unstable reasons for losing.

Question 17

What does self serving bias do?

Answer 17

Helps to promote self-esteem.

To keep players happy and motivated, blame losing on a referee decision or bad luck.

Question 18

How do performers use self-serving bias?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 19

Using internal stable reasons for losing.

Question 20

Characteristics of learned helplessness?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What happens when learned helplessness spreads?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How can learned helplessness be developed?

Answer 22

By attributing failure to internal and stable factors.
Negative feedback and criticism.
Lack of success
Negative experiences

Question 23

What is attribution retraining?

Answer 23

Changing the reasons given for success and failure, using strategies.

Question 24

What’s the key to attribution retraining?

Answer 24

To change the perception and belief of the sportsperson by changing the reasons given for failure.

Question 25

What should the coach do to overcome learned helplessness?

Answer 25

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.