Attributions

Question 1

Inferring Meaning from Behavior

Answer 1

We interpret behavior to make sense of the world.
Helps us understand both others and ourselves.

Question 2

Evaluation of inferences in Social Interactions

Answer 2

Is a doctor meeting professional expectations?
Are students learning effectively?
Do athletes perform as anticipated?
Are we meeting our own expectations?

Question 3

inferencing: Active Observers, Not Passive:

Answer 3

We seek patterns in behavior to explain what we see.
Use prior knowledge to make sense of new experiences.

Question 4

Examples of Attribution

Answer 4

“That person is tall; they must play basketball.”
“That person is overweight; they must be lazy.”
Caution:Personal traits aren’t always accurate indicators of behavior.

Question 5

Purpose of Inference:

Answer 5

To understand behavior.
To predict actions.
To feel control over our social world

Question 6

Impact of Attributions:

Answer 6

Shape future actions and decisions.
Guide expectations for ourselves and others.
Influence behavior and problem-solving.

Question 7

What is Attribution?

Answer 7

A process of perceiving or inferring the cause of events or behaviors.
Attribution is aninference process.

Question 8

Impact of Attribution:

Answer 8

Persistent failure in learning a skill can lead to a belief that:
Abilities can’t changeor be controlled.
This belief affects motivation and effort

Question 9

How can understanding an athlete’s attributions help improve their motivation?

a) By determining their physical capabilities.

b) By revealing their motivational structure and adjusting their perceptions of success and failure.

c) By identifying their favorite sports and activities.

d) By helping them focus solely on external factors influencing performance.

Answer 9

b)

Question 9

Questions Raised by Attribution:

Answer 9

“If I can’t change, why persist?”
“Should I try something else or stop trying altogether?”

Question 10

What is Attribution Theory?

Answer 10

A cognitive approach to explaining motivation.
Focuses on how people explain, understand, and predict events through their perceptions.

Question 10

Attribution and Motivation:

Answer 10

Strongly interconnected theories.

Question 10

Importance of Attributions in Sport:

Answer 10

Understanding an athlete’s attributions reveals theirmotivational structure.
Helping athletes adjust their perceptions can boost their motivation.

Question 10

Attribution theory is primarily concerned with:
a) Understanding how motivation changes over time.

b) Explaining how people perceive and infer the causes of behavior and events.

c) Examining the role of emotions in athletic performance.

d) Measuring physical performance in sports.

Answer 10

b)

Question 11

The Attributional Model

Question 12

Key Dimensions of Attribution:

Answer 12

Stability:Stable vs. Unstable factors.
Locus of Control:Internal vs. External factors.

Question 13

Examples of Stability:

Answer 13

Unstable Factors:Luck, effort, officiating.
Stable Factors:Ability, task difficulty.

Question 14

Impact of Past Experience:

Answer 14

Expected outcomes → Stable attributions.
Unexpected outcomes → Unstable attributions.

Question 15

According to the attributional model, an athlete who attributes their success to their innate skill is focusing on which combination of dimensions?

a) Stable and Internal.
b) Stable and External.
c) Unstable and Internal.
d) Unstable and External.

Answer 15

a)

Question 16

What is Locus of Control (LOC)?

Answer 16

Psychological construct explaining beliefs about control over events.
Also referred to asLocus of Causality.

Question 17

Internal Control:

Answer 17

Belief that actions areself-determined.
Outcomes are attributed to personal characteristics:
Intelligence
Persistence
Wisdom

Question 18

External Control

Answer 18

Belief that outcomes are influenced byexternal factors:
Luck
Chance
Fate
Influence of others

Question 19

Why Internal LOC is Preferred in Sports:

Answer 19

Encourages a sense of control over destiny.
Promotes accountability and motivation.
Accepting credit for success is psychologically healthier than attributing it to luck or external forces.

Question 20

Balance in Attributions:

Answer 20

Always giving internal attributions isnot ideal.
Accept responsibility for failureswhen appropriate, but avoid believing failure is inevitable.

Question 21

Key Takeaway: Internal vs External LOC in Sport

Answer 21

View failures as opportunities for growth, not permanent limitations.

Question 22

Which of the following best describes someone with an external locus of control?

a) They believe their success is due to their hard work and persistence.

b) They attribute their failure to a lack of personal ability.

c) They believe their outcomes are determined by luck, fate, or other external factors.

d) They view their achievements as a result of their intelligence and preparation.

Answer 22

c)

Question 23

Key Attribution Factors:

Answer 23

Ability:Stable, internal factor.
Effort:Unstable, internal factor.
Task Difficulty:Stable, external factor.
Luck:Unstable, external factor.

Question 24

Key Attribution Factors: Examples in Sport:

Answer 24

Ability → Skill level remains consistent.
Effort → Varies game to game.
Task Difficulty → Opponent’s skill.
Luck → Random external events.

Question 25

Key Attribution Factors: Key Insight:

Answer 25

People usually attribute success or failure to one of these four factors.

Question 26

Connection Between Attribution and Emotion:

Answer 26

Attributions influence emotional responses to outcomes.
Internal attributions→ Greater emotional impact.

Question 27

Emotional Responses to Success:

Answer 27

Internal Causes:Pride, confidence, satisfaction.
External Causes:Gratitude, thankfulness.

Question 28

Emotional Responses to Failure:

Answer 28

Internal Causes:Guilt, shame, incompetence.
External Causes:Anger, surprise, astonishment

Question 29

Key Examples of attribution and emotion:

Answer 29

Internal Failure:Goalie blames self → Feels guilty.
External Failure:Tennis player blames judge → Feels anger.

Question 30

What is Learned Helplessness (LH)?

Answer 30

A maladaptive state characterized by:
Avoidance of challenges.
Low persistence in the face of obstacles.
Feelings of low ability, pride, and satisfaction.

Question 31

Impact of LH:

Answer 31

Lowered motivation.
Cognitive limitations.
Increased risk of depression.

Question 32

Key Attributions That Maximize LH:

Answer 32

Internal (ability or effort).
Stable (unchanging factors).
General (applies across situations).
Uncontrollable (perceived lack of control).

Question 33

Common Traits of Helpless Individuals:

Answer 33

Avoid risks and challenges.
Attribute failure to lack of ability.
Feel that effort won’t change outcomes.
View failure as uncontrollable.
Attribute success to luck or low task difficulty.

Question 34

LH is learnedfrom:

Answer 34

prolonged negative experiences.

Question 35

Which of the following attributions is most likely to maximize learned helplessness?

a) Failure attributed to bad luck in one specific game.

b) Failure attributed to lack of effort in a recent performance.

c) Failure attributed to a stable and uncontrollable lack of ability.

d) Failure attributed to a challenging but temporary task difficulty.

Answer 35

c)

Question 36

What is a Self-Serving Attributional Bias?

Answer 36

Egocentrism:People are not always logical in causal attributions.

Ego-Enhancing Strategy:Success attributed to internal causes.

Ego-Protecting Strategy:Failure attributed to external causes.

Question 37

Self-Serving Attributional Bias: Evidence in Literature:

Answer 37

Strong evidence forego-enhancing strategiesunder success conditions.
Minimal evidence forego-protective strategiesunder failure conditions.

Question 38

Self-Serving Attributional Bias: Modified Definition in Athletes:

Answer 38

Internal attributions for both success (enhance ego) and failure (avoid making excuses).

Question 39

Self-Serving Attributional Bias: Situational Factors Influencing Bias:

Answer 39

Memory.
Decisiveness of outcome.
Team vs. individual outcomes.
Objective success or failure conditions

Question 40

IMPORTANT INFO FOR ATTRIBUTION UNIT

Answer 40

Key Takeaways:
Attribution Theory:Explains how individuals perceive the causes of success and failure.
Locus of Control:Internal vs. external attributions shape motivation and emotional responses.
Learned Helplessness:Negative attributions can lead to a harmful mental state.
Self-Serving Biases:Athletes often use ego-enhancing strategies for success and nuanced strategies for failure.
Why Attributions Matter:
Influence motivation, confidence, and persistence.
Shape emotional responses to outcomes.
Guide coaching strategies to promote growth and resilience.
Final Thought:
By understanding attributions, we can better support athletes in developing a healthy mindset, improving performance, and navigating challenges.