Attribution theory*

Question 1

What is attribution?

Answer 1

Precieved reason for success or failure

Question 2

What is Weiner’s model of attribution?

Answer 2

• suggests that 4 key attributions lie on two dimensions

Question 3

What are the two dimensions of Weiner’s model of attribution?

Answer 3

• locus of causality
• locus of stability

Question 4

What is the locus of causality?

Answer 4

Describes where the performer places the reason for their wins/ losses

Question 5

What are the sub-sections to the locus of causality and explain them?

Answer 5

• Internal within the performers control, effort and ability
• external out of the performers control, task difficulty and luck

Question 6

What is the locus of stability?

Answer 6

Describes how fixed the attributions are

Question 7

What are the two sub-sections to the locus of stability and explain them?

Answer 7

• stable reason is relatively permanent, ability and task difficulty
• unstable reason can change quite often, effort and luck

Question 8

What happens if a performer attributes their success to internal factors?

Question 9

What happens if a performer attributes success to external factors?

Question 10

What happens if a performer attributes failure to internal factors?

Question 11

What happens if a performer attributes failure to external factors?

Question 12

What is a self serving bias?

Answer 12

• attributing the reasons for winning internally and reasons for failure externally
• raises elf efficacy and increases motivation
• protects athletes self esteem and confidence

Question 13

What is the link between attribution, task presistence and motivation?

Answer 13

• performer attributes success for internal reasons
• performer takes into account that the locus of stability tells us that things can change
• attributing this way helps performers understand the need to practise, persevere and stay motivated
• to be task presistent

Question 14

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 14

• performers belief that failure is inevitable
• they believe no matter how hard they try they are destined to fail so are not presistent
• can be general or sport specific
• occurs when performer has low self confidence
• similar characteristics to NAF performers

Question 15

How is learned helplessness developed?

Answer 15

• when a performer attributes failure internally to stable reasons
• low self confidence due to negative past experiences

Question 16

What are the strategies to avoid learned helpessness?

Answer 16

• attribution retraining
• set realistic/ performance goals
• raise self-efficacy using banduras model
• highlight previous quality performances
• positive reinforcement and encouragement
• avoid social comparison
• provide opportunities for success
• stress management techniques

Question 17

What is attribution retraining?

Answer 17

• changing negative attributions to positive ones
• start attributing success to internal factors like ability

Question 18

What is mastery orientation?

Answer 18

• when a performer is high in confidence and believes in their own ability
• thinks success is repeatable whilst failure is temporary
• performers are motivated by becoming an expert in skill development
• gain confidence from mastering new skills
• concerned only on their own development
• leads to approach behaviour and task presistance in competition