Question

Check your understanding of attribution processes by analyzing possible explanations for an athletic team's success. Imagine that the women's track team at your school has just won a regional championship that qualifies them for the national tournament. Around the campus, you hear people attribute the team's success to a variety of factors. Examine the attributions shown below and place each of them in one of the cells of Weiner's model of attribution (just record the letter inside the cell. The answers are in Appendix \(A\). a. "They won only because the best two athletes on Central State's team were out with injuries - talk about good fortune!" b. "They won because they have some of the best talent in the country." c. "Anybody could win this region; the competition is far below average in comparison with the rest of the country: d. "They won because they put in a great deal of last-minute effort and practice, and they were incredibly fired up for the regional tourney after last year's near miss."

Short answer

Question: Categorize the following statements about an athletic team's success according to Weiner's model of attribution. a) The women's track team won the regional tournament because two athletes on the competing team were injured. b) The women's track team won the regional tournament due to their talent and abilities. c) The women's track team won the regional tournament because the competition in the region was weak. d) The women's track team won the regional tournament because they put in extra effort and were highly motivated before the event. Answer: a) External Unstable (EU) b) Internal Stable (IS) c) External Stable (ES) d) Internal Unstable (IU)

Step-by-step solution

Statement a: Attributing Success to Fortune

In this statement, the success of the women's track team is attributed to the absence of two athletes on the competing team due to injuries, which is a form of good fortune. This factor is external and unstable, as it is not related to the team's abilities and could change in the future. Hence, this statement falls under the External Unstable (EU) category.

Statement b: Attributing Success to Talent

In this statement, the success of the women's track team is attributed to their talent and abilities. This factor is internal and stable, as it is related to the team's inherent qualities and will be consistent over time. Hence, this statement falls under the Internal Stable (IS) category.

Statement c: Attributing Success to Weak Competition

In this statement, the success of the women's track team is attributed to the weaker competition in the region. This factor is external and stable, as it is not related to the team's abilities and is consistent in the region over time. Hence, this statement falls under the External Stable (ES) category.

Statement d: Attributing Success to Effort and Motivation

In this statement, the success of the women's track team is attributed to their effort, practice, and motivation prior to the regional tournament. This factor is internal and unstable, as it is related to the team's temporary mindset and effort, which can change over time. Hence, this statement falls under the Internal Unstable (IU) category.

Key concepts

Weiner's Model of Attribution

Attributions play a crucial role in how individuals interpret their successes and failures. Developed by psychologist Bernard Weiner, Weiner's model of attribution is a framework that distinguishes between different causes of behavior and outcomes. This model breaks down attributions into several categories: internal vs. external causes, and stable vs. unstable causes. In the context of a sports team, like the women's track team in our exercise, attributions can determine whether their success is credited to effort (internal and unstable), talent (internal and stable), the level of competition (external and stable), or luck (external and unstable). For example, when someone comments that the team won because of their last-minute effort and heightened motivation, they are referring to internal and unstable factors according to Weiner's model.

Understanding this model helps us to better appreciate the complexities behind attributions in many areas of life including sports, academics, and personal achievements, as it emphasizes that outcomes are often the result of multiple factors.

Internal vs External Attributions

Diving deeper into attribution theory, it is essential to understand the difference between internal and external attributions. Internal attributions assign the cause of behavior to something within the person, such as their capabilities, demeanor, or effort. For instance, if someone claims the track teams's victory is due to the athletes' talent, they are making an internal attribution, which typically denotes that the individual or group had control over the outcome. On the flip side, external attributions are when the cause of behavior is considered to be outside the person or group, such as luck, task difficulty, or actions of others. An attribution like 'They won only because the best two athletes were out with injuries' points to external factors. Such a distinction is vital since it affects motivation, expectations, and even the emotional responses tied to the outcomes of events.

Understanding whether an attribution is internal or external allows individuals to grasp why they or others have succeeded or failed, which, in turn, can mold their future performance and strategies.

Stable vs Unstable Attributions

Another aspect of Weiner's model of attribution that we should explore is the difference between stable and unstable attributions. Stable attributions suggest that the causes of behavior or outcomes are consistent over time. For example, saying that a team won because of the inherently weak competition in the region implies a stable external attribution. This signifies that the condition is persistent and likely to influence future events similarly. In contrast, unstable attributions imply that the cause of an outcome may change or is not consistent over time. Last-minute effort and high levels of motivation, as mentioned in our exercise, are examples of unstable internal factors — they can fluctuate from one competition to the next.

Recognizing whether attributions are stable or unstable helps individuals predict and interpret future events. If a team's success is deemed the result of stable factors, we expect their success to continue; if their success is attributed to unstable factors, their future outcomes may seem more uncertain. This understanding not only bridges the gap between present achievements and future expectations but also helps in developing long-term strategies for maintaining or improving performance.