Attribution Theory Attribution theory looks at the reasons given by coaches and players themselves to account for successes and failures in sport. There are strong links between attribution and achievement motivation.
Two Attributional Styles What do they both attribute to their success / failure? This is called Attribution!
What FACTORS DID THEY ATTRIBUTE SUCCESS OR FAILURE TO? REF What FACTORS DID THEY ATTRIBUTE SUCCESS OR FAILURE TO? WHAT OTHER FACTORS CAN YOU THINK OF? Can you put them into 4 categories.
Whether attribution comes form external elements Of the four that you have chosen which ones are internal factors and which are external? In other words whether attribution comes from within the person (internal) Whether attribution comes form external elements
Of the four that you have chosen which ones are stable or unstable? In other words whether attribution is changeable Of the four that you have chosen which ones are stable or unstable? Whether attribution is unchangeable
Weiner’s Attribution Model (1971)
Locus of Causality Attributions Internal External Ability Task Difficulty Effort Luck Locus of causality: indicates whether the attribution relates to factors that are external or internal to the performer. Effort and ability represent internal factors while task difficulty and luck are external (environmental variables).
external
Internal factors Ability – effort
Weiner’s Attribution Model (1971)
Attribution Theory: Stability Stability refers to the degree of permanence associated with an attribution factor. A stable factor is considered permanent and unchangeable Ability Task difficulty
Attribution Theory: unstable Stability refers to the degree of permanence associated with an attribution factor. A stable factor is considered temporary and changeable Effort Luck
Weiner’s Attribution Model (1971)
Link this to the stability: Was it due to luck of ability? Personal reflection Note a game or event that you have attributed (rightly or wrongly) the failure of an outcome. This can be your own performance or the final score. What did you say at the time was the reason for the failure? Note a game or event that you have attributed (rightly or wrongly) the success of an sporting event. This can be your own performance or the final score. What did you say at the time was the reason for the success? How would this affects a persons expectation of future outcome? Link this to the stability: Was it due to luck of ability?
Attribution Theory Impact: Type of Attribution Winning Example Losing Example Stability Impact:
Attribution Theory: Stability If the reason for winning is stable, the individual is motivated to achieve again. It was because I had the ability, I able to complete the task a this level. If failure is attribute to instable factors, the individual is more likely to try again because there is a good chance that the outcome will change.
Attribution Theory: unstable If the reason for winning is unstable, the individual is demotivated because the win may be due to luck. If failure is attribute to stable factors, the individual is more likely to not try the task again. “I lost because I’m not good enough, or they were too good”.
“I lost because I’m not good enough, or they were too good”. Attribution Theory Type of Attribution Winning Example Losing Example Stability I won today because… “I lost because I’m not good enough, or they were too good”. Causality I lost today because…
Causality Internal Factors Internal attributions should be used to reinforce success, for example achievement is the result of ability and effort. Internal attributions for success would elevate confidence and endorse future expectation of high achievement.
Attribution: low achievers external factors Low achievers or people who adopt avoidance behaviour tend to attribute a lack of success to internal factors (e.g. lack of ability). Low achievers also tend to attribute success to external factors (e.g. luck). This type of attribution would take away confidence and reduce expectation of future achievement (negative attribution).