23. Attribution Theory

Question 1

What is the attribution theory?

Answer 1

An approach that attempts to categorise the reasons we give for winning or losing. The perceived causes of events or behaviour.

Question 2

What are Weiner’s two dimensions of attribution theory?

Answer 2

Locus of causality
Stability

Question 3

What are Weiner’s four attributions of performance?

Answer 3

> ability
effort
luck
task difficulty

Question 4

What is Weiner’s locus of causality?

Answer 4

Attributing internally or externally:
Reasons for success or failure of a performer to factors that are under their control.
(Ability and effort) - internal.
Reasons for success or failure of a performer to factors that are beyond their control.
(Luck and task difficulty) - external.

Question 5

What is Weiner’s dimension of stability?

Answer 5

Introduces time - stable and unstable factors.
Stable - (ability and task difficulty) do not change in the short term
Unstable - (effort and luck) can change in the short term Unstable

Question 6

What is Weiner’s third dimension?

Answer 6

Locus of controllability: our chosen attributions for success and failure affect our feelings of pride and satisfaction at the end of a performance

Question 7

How are our feelings affected by the locus of controllability?

Answer 7

> pride and satisfaction maximised if success is attributed to internal, controllable factors (effort, ability)
pride and satisfaction decreased if success is attributed to external, uncontrollable factors (luck, task difficulty)
pride and satisfaction decreased if failure is attributed to internal controllable factors (lack of ability/effort)

Question 8

What is self-serving bias?

Answer 8

Attribution of success to internal, stable factors (ability, effort)
Attribution of failure to external, unstable factors (luck, task difficulty)
To preserve self esteem.

Question 9

What are coach implications of the attribution theory?

Answer 9

> promote self-serving bias - external reasons for losses make them feel as though loss can be changed

Question 10

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 10

> caused by repeated failure
defeat is perceived as inevitable
General: applied to all sports
Specific: applied to one sport

Question 11

What is attributional retraining?

Answer 11

> coaches should be honest to set realistic goals for performers
encourage beginners to attribute success to internal factors