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Attribution Theory

Attribution, task persistence and self-serving bias

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Task persistence, attributions that protect motivation after success and defeat, how performers with a high need to achieve or to avoid failure explain a defeat, and the self-serving bias.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does a failure avoider explain defeat, and what is the self-serving bias and why does it occur?

Key term

What is task persistence?

Key term

How does blaming a defeat on an unstable cause help task persistence?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is task persistence?

    Model answer

    Task persistence is a performer's willingness to keep trying at a task despite setbacks.

  2. 2

    How does blaming a defeat on an unstable cause help task persistence?

    Model answer

    An unstable cause, such as low effort, can be different next time. The performer expects to do better and keeps trying.

  3. 3

    Why can putting failure down to a lack of ability reduce motivation?

    Model answer

    Lack of ability is internal and stable, so the performer expects to fail again. Expected failure makes giving up more likely.

  4. 4

    Which attributions after a success do most to raise motivation?

    Model answer

    Internal and stable attributions, such as high ability, do most to raise motivation after success. The performer expects the success to be repeated.

  5. 5

    Which attributions after a defeat best protect motivation?

    Model answer

    External or unstable attributions, such as bad luck or low effort, best protect motivation. The performer believes the result can change.

  6. 6

    How does a performer with a high need to achieve usually explain a defeat?

    Model answer

    A high achiever usually blames external or unstable factors, such as luck or effort. The performer's belief in their own ability is protected and they keep striving.

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