6.11 Attribution Theory

Question 1

Weiner’s model

Answer 1

Theory tells us how individuals explain their behaviour. Performers use attributions to offer reasons for winning or playing well or reasons for playing or losing badly.

Question 2

Weiner’s attribution theory model table layout

Answer 2

Locus of causality describes where the performer places the reason for the win/loss:
- internal = within performers control I.e ability + effort
- external = out of performers control I.e task difficulty + luck
Stability dimension describes how fixed the attributions are:
- stable = the reason is relatively permanent I.e ability + task difficulty
- unstable = change could be from a week to weeks or within minutes I.e effort + luck

Question 3

Link between attribution, task persistence + motivation

Answer 3

Can be used to ensure that even when individuals or teams lose, they keep trying to improve + do not just give up.
The locus of causality tells us that we have to control of effort.If we attribute success to high ability or to the amount of effort we put into a match then we may well see success in a similar task in the future.
Stability dimension tells us that things can change. Attributing this way can help to understand to be task persistent
Both coaches and performers should attribute reasons for winning internally to ability, known as self-serving bias. Which will raise self-efficacy + esteem + increase likelihood of individual continuing participation.

Question 4

Learned helplessness

Answer 4

Learned helplessness develops when performers attribute failure internally to stable reasons. Believe that no matter what they do or don’t they are destined to fail + therefore aren’t persistent.
Can be either general relating to all sports, specific relating to one skill in a sport or a single sport. Usually occurs when performers have low self-esteem due to past failing so they withdraw efforts . May be due to unrealistic goal setting.

Question 5

Strategies to avoid learned helplessness, leading to improvements in performance

Answer 5

In order to reduce the effects of learned helplessness, the performer should change their negative attributions into positive ones.
When altered they attribute success to external factors such as luck or controllable ones such as effort which can be improved.
Success is attributed internally to ability; the performer knows what they have what is necessary to repeat the victory in the futures.
Coach can:
- set realistic goals
- raise self-efficacy by using banduras model
- highlight previous successful performances
- give positive reinforcement + encouragement