A 2 PE PHED 3 Sport Psychology Attribution

A 2 PE PHED 3 Sport Psychology Attribution Theory

Football Managers • • • Sir Alex Ferguson Jose Mourinho Steve Bruce Arsene Wenger Tiger Woods

Weiner later added 3 rd dimension – Locus of Control With success players tend to attribute their performance to internal factors: - Self-serving Bias With failure players tend to attribute their performance to external factors Dependant on what we attribute our success or failure to, can have a significant effect on our future motivation. • Internal factors (success) - increase self esteem + motivation Coaches encourage performers to attribute the result to unstable or controllable factors, preventing damage to self esteem.

Locus of Control • Personal – effort, concentration, commitment to training • External – referee, tactics, quality of opposition

Attribution Retraining • Performers are encouraged to focus on attributing failure to areas where they have control to allow for future success. “Your ability and effort was good, but perhaps you are playing in the wrong position. ” A coach can use strategies such as: - Learning what players tend to attribute to (observe and listen) - Draw their attention to progression and change - Re focus on task / process goals instead of outcome - Monitor progress for future - Try and ensure initial success to avoid Learned Helplessness.

Attribution Retraining • Lack of Ability – Incorrect Strategy • Frustration – Disappointment • Helplessness - Persistence

Learned Helplessness • General/Specific Strategies • Mental Rehearsal • Attribution Retraining • Performance Goals rather than Outcome Goals • Use of correct attributions