Sports Psychology - Attribution

Question 1

What is attribution?

Answer 1

The reason a performer gives for the cause of their success or failure.

Question 2

What is locus of control?

Answer 2

Whether factors are internal or external to the performer.

Question 3

What are the four catagories in Weiners model?

Answer 3

Stable
Unstable
Internal
External

Question 4

What is the internal and stable section of Weiners model?

Answer 4

Ability

Question 5

What is the internal and unstable section of Weiners model?

Answer 5

Effort

Question 6

What is the external and stable section of Weiners model?

Answer 6

Luck

Question 7

What is the external and stable section of Weiners model?

Answer 7

Task difficulty

Question 8

what is learned helplessness?

Answer 8

The belief that failure is inevitable and that no control can be had over the causes of failure.

Question 9

What is mastery orientation?

Answer 9

A high achiever who has a strong desire to succeed and expects to succeed.

Question 10

Why are the effects of effort attributions positive to a successful performance?

Answer 10

• the performer takes credit for success due to their effort, use of effective tactics
• this raises self confidence and encourages mastery orientation

Question 11

Why are the effects of effort attributions positive to failure in performance?

Answer 11

• the performer acknowledges that failure was due to insufficient preparation or other changeable reasons which are due to their efforts
• this gives them control over future success, provided that the performer has achievable goals and can also raise self confidence

Question 12

What are the effects of learned helplessness?

Answer 12

• learned helplessness leads to low self confidence, and to performers giving up very easily if success is not quickly achieved
• learned helplessness is therefore a barrier to improve sports performance
• attributing success internally and failure externally can prevent learned helplessness
• this is known as self serving bias and can be used to raise confidence in the short term

Question 13

What are the effects of mastery orientation?

Answer 13

• mastery orientation is linked with high self confidence. These performers take on challenge and show persistence when faced with difficulty
• mastery orientation allows performance to be optimised
• attributing success internally, and failure to internal unstable factors encourages mastery orientation