Sport Psychology - Attritution Flashcards
What is attribution theory?
Attribution theory is a theory that explains how individuals interpret events - the reasons they give for the outcome.
What are the 4 main types of attributions?
Ability
Effort
Luck
Task difficulty
True or False: Internal attributions assign outcomes to personal factors.
True
Fill in the blank: External attributions assign outcomes to ______ factors.
situational
What is an example of an internal attribution in sports?
Ability - we were the best team
Effort - we tried harder
What is an example of an external attribution in sports?
Task difficulty or luck with an eg
What is the self-serving bias?
The self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute successes to internal factors and failures to external factors.
True or False: The self-serving bias can enhance an athlete’s self-esteem.
True
How can attribution theory be applied in sports psychology?
Attribution theory can help athletes understand their performance outcomes and develop strategies for improvement. It can also impact motivation.
What role does attribution play in motivation?
Attribution influences an athlete’s motivation by affecting their beliefs about control and future performance.
Fill in the blank: Athletes who attribute their failures to ______ factors are more likely to give up.
internal
What is the impact of positive attributions on an athlete’s performance?
Positive attributions can improve confidence and performance.
What psychological effect can negative attributions have on an athlete?
Negative attributions can lead to decreased motivation and increased anxiety.
True or False: All athletes use the same attributions.
False
What is learned helplessness in relation to attribution theory?
Learned helplessness occurs when individuals attribute their failures to stable and uncontrollable factors, leading to a lack of effort. They believe failure is inevitable, no matter what they do.
How can coaches influence athletes’ attributions?
Coaches can influence athletes’ attributions by providing feedback that encourages internal attributions for success and external, unstable factors for failure.
What is the difference between stable and unstable attributions?
Stable attributions are consistent over time, while unstable attributions can change from one situation to another.
Fill in the blank: Stable attributions lead to a belief that outcomes are ______.
not
What are the implications of attribution theory for team dynamics?
Attribution theory can influence team morale and cohesion, as team members’ attributions for success or failure impact group dynamics.
True or False: Attributions can be altered through attribution retraining.
True
What is the impact of attribution retraining on athletes?
Attribution retraining can help athletes develop more confidence and motivation
Fill in the blank: Athletes who believe they can control their outcomes are more likely to have ______ attributions.
internal
What is the role of feedback in shaping attributions?
Feedback can reinforce or challenge athletes’ attributions, affecting their future motivation and performance.
True or False: The consistency of an athlete’s attributions can predict their future behavior.
True
What is the impact of negative self-talk on attribution?
Negative self-talk can lead to negative attributions, which may harm an athlete’s performance and self-esteem.
What is the relationship between attribution theory and goal setting?
Attribution theory informs goal setting by influencing how athletes perceive their abilities and the factors affecting their performance.
True or False: Attributions are fixed and cannot change over time.
False
