Errors in attribution

Overview

The self-serving bias and the actor-observer effect with examples, team conflict, suggested gender differences in attribution, how coaches respond to errors, and pride and shame after a result.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is the self-serving bias?

   Model answer

   The self-serving bias is attributing success to internal causes and failure to external causes. The bias protects self-esteem.

2. 2

   Give an example of the self-serving bias.

   Model answer

   A tennis player credits a win to her skill but blames a loss on the wind. The player keeps her confidence.

3. 3

   Why is the self-serving bias a problem for improvement?

   Model answer

   A performer who always blames external causes may not correct their weaknesses. Real faults go unaddressed.

4. 4

   What is the actor-observer effect?

   Model answer

   The actor-observer effect is the tendency to explain our own behaviour by the situation but others' behaviour by their character. Players blame conditions for their own errors but blame teammates' ability.

5. 5

   Give an example of the actor-observer effect in sport.

   Model answer

   A player who misses a penalty blames the pitch. The same player says a teammate who missed simply lacks skill.

6. 6

   How can the actor-observer effect cause conflict in a team?

   Model answer

   Players may blame each other's ability while excusing their own mistakes. Resentment can reduce cohesion.

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