Attribution

Question 1

Background

Attribution theory is linked to ___________. The reasons, justifications and excuses that we give for our wins and losses are likely to affect our ________(affective) and our levels of __________

For example: what may a footballer say if they lost or what may coach say if they won?

Our attributions and those of others can have an impact on our sporting performance. Why is this? What effect does it have when used correctly?

Answer 1

Attribution theory is linked to motivation. The reasons, justifications and excuses that we give for our wins and losses are likely to affect our feelings (affective) and our levels of motivation

For example: a footballer may give the bad weather conditions as a reason for losing a match OR a coach may say the reason why their team won was due to the high level of effort

This is because the way in which our behaviour is attributed will affect how a sports person feels about their performance and ultimately our self-esteem. The correct use of this will affect the performers’ ability to maintain motivation and to continue within the sport.

Question 2

The process of attribution

Answer 2

Outcome of event
LINKS TO
Available information
LINKS TO
Causal attribution

Expectancy of future results/ Affective response (feelings: pride: shame)
WHICH LINKS TO
Decision on subsequent participation (motivated behaviour or action)

Question 3

Weiner’s Theory

Answer 3

Locus of causality

Internal

• These are factors which are said to be within our control

External

• These are factors which are believed to be out of our control

Locus of stability

Stable

• These are durable and do not change much over time

Unstable

• Less consistent and will change moment to moment / situation to situation

Controllability

Controllable

• under the control of the performer or under the control of others

Uncontrollable

• whether they are uncontrollable (i.e. nothing can be done by anyone, e.g. luck, weather)

Question 4

Visual representation of Weiner’s Theory

What it means: (2 things)

Answer 4

• if the reasons given for winning are stable, the individual will be more motivated to achieve again
• if the reasons for failure are attributed to an unstable factor the participant is more likely to try again because there is a good chance that they will be able to change the outcome in the future.

Question 5

Self-serving bias

Answer 5

What we attribute our successes and failure to is often dependent upon the type of performer we are and whether we are successful or not

Question 6

Attributed causes according to Internal-external, stability and controllability continuums

Answer 6

Ability

• internal, stable, uncontrollable

Luck

• external, unstable, uncontrollable

Effort

• internal, unstable, controllable

Difficulty

• external, stable, controllable/un controllable

Question 7

Learned helplessness

Background?
Definition?
What do people with this put their failings down to?

Answer 7

Background
We already know that high self confidence in a performer is important in them performing well. If there is a reduction in this level the performer may begin to experience self-doubt; which can in turn lead to anxiety.

Definition
An acquired state or condition related to the performer’s perception that he or she does not have any control over the situational demands being placed on him or her and that failure is, therefore, inevitable

What do they put it down to?
Performers put their failings down to internal, stable factors such as ability

Question 8

Learned helplessness can be divided into 2 categories (3 things each)

Answer 8

General/Global learned helplessness

• the performer will think that failure is inevitable all sports ・
• eg. performer may have, the perception that they will be bad in everything they try
• could be based on previous negative experiences

Specific Learned Helplessness:

• performer will fear failure in specific sports
• this could be a result of lack of confidence
• may have unsuccessful in the past in a particular sport

Question 9

Mastery orientation (definition)

Mastery orientated individuals will: (3 things)

Answer 9

This is a view that an individual will be motivated to become an expert (master) in skill development or sports performance. It is at the opposite end to learned helplessness

They will:

• Attribute failure to internal, controllable and unstable factors such as effort, this will allow them to continue to strive to be the best.
• Seek to develop their competence by acquiring new skills and mastering situations
• Be unconcerned about performance relative to others but rather furthering their understanding

Question 10

Attribution retraining

This is a way to optimise sports performance with the hope that you can change: (what to what and 2 ways how)

Answer 10

Learned helplessness to Mastery orientation

• Attributions need to be reassessed in order to succeed in the future.
• Performers who fail should be encouraged to attribute these to controllable and unstable factors, therefore, allowing them to develop the necessary skills which are likely to result in mastery orientation.