Sports Psychology - Attribution Theory

Question 1

What is attribution theory

Answer 1

A perception for the reason of the outcome of an event - the reason why we won or lost

Question 2

What was Weiner 1974

Answer 2

A model which classified the factors into 2 sections (locus of causality and stability dimension) and then 2 sub-sections (internal, external, stable, unstable)

Question 3

What is the locus of causality

Answer 3

If the reason is in control or out of control of the performer

Question 4

What is the internal attribute in the locus of causality

Answer 4

This is where the reason is within the control of the performer (ability, effort)

Question 5

What is the external attribute in the locus of causality

Answer 5

A factor that is out of control of the performer (task difficulty, luck)

Question 6

What is the stability dimension

Answer 6

Whether the likelihood of the reason will change in a short amount of time

Question 7

What is the unstable attribute in the stability dimension

Answer 7

The reason is likely to change in short amount of time (effort, luck)

Question 8

What is the stable attribute in the stability dimension

Answer 8

When the reason isn’t likely to change in a short amount of time (task difficulty, ability)

Question 9

What are the factors that affect attribution (the reasons)

Answer 9

• referees decisions
• ability
• luck
• task difficulty
• effort
• injury

Question 10

What is self-serving bias

Answer 10

• When you blame external and/or unstable reasons for loss. This maintains motivation and task persistence.
• e.g. ‘we won because we were better’ or ‘we lost because the ref decision were totally wrong’

Question 11

What is learned helplessness

Answer 11

• When we blame internal stable reasons for loss (blame ourselves)
• can lead to lack motivation, effort and confidence. Performer may believe every time they play they will fail

Question 12

What are the two types of learned helplessness

Answer 12

• global/general learned helplessness
• specific/situation learned helplessness

Question 13

What is global learned helplessness

Answer 13

When we say ‘I’m so bad at sports’

Question 14

What is situational learned helplessness

Answer 14

When we say ‘we aren’t good at serving so we won’t win the match’

Question 15

How can learned helplessness be stopped

Answer 15

• attribute success internally
• blame external causes
• attribution retraining
• avoid social comparisons

Question 16

What is attribution retraining

Answer 16

Changing the reasons for success and failure. This provides increase self-esteem because learned helplessness is removed