Attribution Case Studies with Elite Junior Australian ...

1 Attribution case Studies i Attribution case Studies with Elite Junior Australian Footballers and Their Coach Alyse K. Wilcox Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Doctor of Applied Psychology (Sport) Degree September 2015 College of Social Sciences and Psychology Faculty of Arts, Education, and Human Movement Victoria University Attribution case Studies ii DECLARATION I, Alyse Wilcox, declare that the Doctor of Applied Psychology (Sport) thesis entitled Attribution case Studies with Elite Junior Australian Football Players and Their Coach is no more than 40,000 words in length including quotes and exclusive of tables, figures, appendices, bibliography, references and footnotes.

2 This thesis contains no material that has been submitted previously, in whole or in part, for the award of any other academic degree or diploma. Except where otherwise indicated, this thesis is my own work. Signature: Date: Attribution case Studies iii ABSTRACT The purpose of the current research was to extend knowledge of Attribution processes in sport. Specifically, the Attribution processes of coach-athlete dyads were investigated over several weeks of competition, focusing on the application of theoretical frameworks ( , Heider, 1958; Kelley, 1967; Rees, Ingeldew, & Hardy, 2005a; Weiner, 1985) to Attribution processes.

3 Attribution change and the influence of coach feedback and post-game review procedures on Attribution processes were also investigated. Three Elite Junior Australian Football (AF) players (18-19 years) and their head coach (45 years) were interviewed on multiple occasions through an Attribution lens. Each athlete was interviewed on three occasions (pre-game, post-game, post-feedback) and the athletes coach was also interviewed two days post performances for the same three games. Player-participants stories are presented as case Studies , with attention given to how their stories related to the literature.

4 Participants stories reflected several aspects of theoretical frameworks ( , Heider, 1958; Kelley, 1967; Weiner, 1985). There was evidence of actor and observer divergence with the coach-participant providing more dispositional causal ascription than player-participants. Player-participants demonstrated Attribution change after their post-game feedback possibly revealing the influence of review processes for mediating attributions. For example, after coach feedback, athletes used the coach s attributions to explain their performance outcome. In addition, their attributions tended towards using more dispositional causes in their post-coach feedback interviews than were used in their post-game interviews.

5 The findings may demonstrate the strong influence that coaches have on athletes perceptions of their performance outcomes. The research findings extend knowledge of Attribution processes in sport and could inform researchers and sport psychologists in determining interventions of choice to assist athletes and coaches. Attribution case Studies iv DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my family; Mum, Dad, Steph, Sam and Tom. I would not have completed my thesis and my Studies without the support from my family and my partner. Your support and unconditional love has helped me through my ten years of study.

6 I cannot thank you enough! Attribution case Studies v AKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the following people who have assisted me and supported me throughout my efforts to complete this thesis, and my Studies . I would like to thank my supervisor, Daryl Marchant, for providing me with support and encouragement. I am grateful for the opportunities you have given me and the time you dedicated to my thesis. I would like to extend many thanks to Andrew Jago who has always been there when I needed some advice. The support you have given me over the last five years is priceless.

7 You never stopped believing in my capabilities. Thank you to Mark and Harriet for the support you have provided in my development as a psychologist and for encouraging me to reflect on, and learn from, my experiences. Special thanks to Mark for laughing with me when my insecurities entered the room and for helping me see the value of my work with my clients. Thank you for the time, patience, and unconditional love you have given me throughout the doctorate process. To my parents, Chris and Kathy, sister Stephanie, brother Sam, and partner Tom, thank you for your unconditional love and patience over the four years.

8 You have encouraged me, kept me on track, and without your support I may not have completed my Studies . To my friends who have endured my absence over the last four years, thank you for constantly reminding me why I am still at university when I complain about my Studies . You have kept me motivated throughout the journey and I will be forever grateful. Thank you to my peers, the arbitrary metrics , for the laughs, support, and encouragement you have given me. Only we can understand the journey we have been on and I look forward to working with you all in the future. Finally, to my wonderful participants and AFL Victoria for supporting my thesis and who, without them, my study could not have eventuated.

9 I am forever grateful for the contribution you have made to my thesis and my career as a sport psychologist. Attribution case Studies vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .. ii ABSTRACT .. iii DEDICATION .. iv AKNOWLEDGEMENTS .. v TABLE OF CONTENTS .. vi LIST OF FIGURES .. xi LIST OF TABLES .. xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .. 1 The Current Research .. 5 The Research Aims .. 6 Context .. 7 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .. 8 Theoretical Perspectives on Attributions .. 8 The Basic Assumptions Underlying Attribution Theories .. 8 The motive to link events causally.. 8 Desire to make realistic attributions.

10 9 Attribution theory as a cognitive approach.. 10 Attribution Theories .. 10 Antecedents of Causal Attribution Theories .. 11 Na ve psychology of action.. 11 Correspondent inference theory .. 13 Co-variation principle.. 13 Consequences of Causal Attribution Theories .. 16 Achievement motivation theory (AMT).. 17 Attribution theory of emotion and motivation .. 18 Outcome-dependent affect.. 19 Causal antecedents.. 21 Causal ascriptions.. 22 Psychological consequences.. 23 Behavioural consequences.. 24 Judgements of responsibility .. 25 Attribution case Studies vii Overall Summary of Theoretical Perspectives on Attributions.