Paper 2: Attribution

Question 1

What is attribution?

Answer 1

Attribution involves establishing that a particular result occurred as a result of another situation affecting it.
i.e. what you attribute success or failure to.

e.g. blaming a poor performance on bad weather.

Question 2

What is Weiner’s model of attribution?

Answer 2

Demonstrates how an individual may attribute their behaviour, particularly if their actions resulted in unexpected behaviour.

Has three dimensions:
- Stability
- Locus of control
- Controllability

Factors that are key to influencing attributions for achievement:
- ability (internal, unstable)
- effort (internal, stable)
- luck (external, unstable)
- task difficulty (external, stable)

Question 3

How do you make sure attributions improve performance?

Answer 3

• Attribute successful performances to internal and controllable factors
• Attribute unsuccessful performances to external and uncontrollable factors.

Question 4

What is mastery orientation?

Answer 4

Mastery orientation refers to the willingness of an individual to succeed in a task, and the motivation to continue despite initial failure.

Question 5

How is mastery orientation developed?

Answer 5

Mastery orientation is developed through attributing success to stable and internal factors, closely linked with approach behaviour.

• high task persistence
• positively attribute

Question 6

How does mastery orientation affect performance?

Answer 6

Mastery orientation optimises sports performance due to failures being perceived as temporary, uncontrollable blips, and successes being perceived as resulting from internal and enduring factors.

Self-serving bias
Resulting in:
- higher levels of motivation and persistence.

Question 7

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 7

Learned helplessness is defined as the inevitable feeling that failure will occur during the performance of a skill, no matter what one does.

Linked to attributions failure to internal and/or uncontrollable factors.

Results in:
- a loss of self-efficacy
- task persistence
- motivation levels

Question 8

What are the two types of learned helplessness?

Answer 8

Specific:
The belief that an individual cannot performs a particular skill that is needed for a successful performance.

General:
The belief that a previous bad experience means that an individual believes they cannot succeed in any related experience.

A player that believes they can’t play badminton very well and therefore all racquet sports.

Question 9

How can a performer overcome learned helplessness?

Answer 9

• Remind performer of previous successful performances
• Observe successful performance
• Participate in tasks which do not require a level of ability above that of the performer
• Use of effective goal-setting
• Use of correct attribution and self serving bias
• Correct use of guidance and feedback