Attribution Theory

Question 1

What is the locus of causality - Weiners model

Answer 1

Is it in the control of the performer (internal) or out of their control (external)
Internal attribute - witching the performers control e.g. effort
External attribute - outside of the performers control e.g. the referee

Question 2

What is the stability dimension - Weiners model

Answer 2

Is it a permanent or changeable reason

Unstable - can change in a short amount of time e.g. luck/weather
Stable - unlikely to change in a short amount of time e.g. skill level, opponent

Question 3

Factors that affect attribution in a table

Answer 3

I internal. l   External 
————————————————————
Stable            l ability.     l  tasks difficulty 
————————————————————-
Unstable.      l effort.      l  Luck

Question 4

What is the self serving Bias

Answer 4

Using external factors and/or unstable reasons for losing

Question 5

Benifits of the self serving Bias

Answer 5

• can be used to maintain motivation and task persistence
• when you win its because of you and when you lose it because of an external reason
• praise effort and reward ability
• to maintain motivation don’t attribute the loss to internal and stable attributes
• promotes self esteem as players are responsible for the positive result

Question 6

What is learned helplessness

Answer 6

• using internal stable reasons for losing - I’m not good enough / I never will be
• the performer believes failure in inevitable
• when doubt in ability affects the players confidence is lowered
• Luck effort and motivation

Question 7

What are the two types of learned helplessness

Answer 7

Global/General learned helplessness - general sporting situations
Specific/ situational learned helplessness - specific sporting situations e.g. penalty shootout

Question 8

Strategies to avoid learned helplessness

Answer 8

• develop self confidence / efficacy / esteem
• avoid social comparison
• Allow success
• Vicarious experiences
• 1 on 1 attention
• Positive feedback / reinforcement / peer support / verbal persuasion
• Blame external factors for failures

Question 9

Attribution retraining

Answer 9

• changing the reason given for success and failure

- must change perceptions using Weiner box