The CSGU: a measure of controllability, stability, globality, and universality attributions.

addresses: School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK.types: Journal Article© 2008 Human Kinetics, IncThis article reports initial evidence of construct validity for a four-factor measure of attributions assessing the dimensions of controllability, stability, globality, and universality (the CSGU). In Study 1, using confirmatory factor analysis, factors were confirmed across least successful and most successful conditions. In Study 2, following less successful performances, correlations supported hypothesized relationships between subscales of the CSGU and subscales of the CDSII (McAuley, Duncan, & Russell, 1992). In Study 3, following less successful performances, moderated hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that individuals have higher subsequent self-efficacy when they perceive causes of performance as controllable, and/or specific, and/or universal. An interaction for controllability and stability demonstrated that if causes are perceived as likely to recur, it is important to perceive that causes are controllable. Researchers are encouraged to use the CSGU to examine main and interactive effects of controllability and generalizability attributions upon outcomes such as self-efficacy, emotions, and performance

The main and interactive effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self-efficacy

publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticleCopyright © 2009 Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Journal of Sport Science, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17461390802594227#.VNIkhp1FDcsIn this study, we examined the effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self-efficacy. At Time 1 (Day 1), 117 participants (mean age 25.8 years, s=8. 5) completed a measure of attributions after performance (immediate attributions). At Time 2 (Day 4), the participants completed the same measure of attributions (reflective attributions). At Time 3 (Day 7, 8 or 9), they completed a measure of self-efficacy relating to an up-coming performance. Immediately after more successful performances, global attributions were associated with higher subsequent self-efficacy; upon reflection, stable, global, and/or personal attributions were associated with higher subsequent self-efficacy. Immediately after and upon reflection of less successful performances, controllable attributions were associated with higher subsequent self-efficacy; an interaction for controllability and stability demonstrated that when causes are perceived as likely to recur, greater controllability is associated with higher subsequent self-efficacy. Results suggest that following more successful performances, analysis of reflective assessments of attributions may help to further understanding of the relationships between attributions and outcomes such as self-efficacy. This study serves as a stimulus for future research to examine relationships between attributions assessed across time and outcomes such as self-efficacy, as well as to examine interactions among attribution dimensions

The PASS-Q: the perceived available support in sport questionnaire.

This article provides initial evidence for the construct validity of the Perceived Available Support in Sport Questionnaire (PASS-Q), which assesses emotional, esteem, informational, and tangible support. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence for a four-dimension factor structure. Correlations supported hypothesized relationships between the PASS-Q dimensions and the Social Support Survey questions (Richman, Rosenfeld, & Hardy, 1993). In Study 2, the four-dimension factor structure was supported in an independent sample. Further, higher levels of perceived available emotional, esteem, informational, and tangible support were associated with higher levels of self-confidence and lower levels of burnout. Researchers are encouraged to use the PASS-Q to examine the effects of perceived available support in sport contexts

Corporate Law: What Is the Impact of New ALI Proposals on Shareholder Litigation

When the American Law Institute\u27s Corporate Governance Project meets this month, one of the most hotly debated agenda items is likely to be its new rules governing shareholder litigation, which are now up for final approval. The proposed change means that corporate boards will now have to prove in court that a decision to dismiss a shareholder claim alleging self-dealing was in the corporation\u27s best interest. In addition, the requirement for a formal demand on the board by shareholders will be uniform, rather than subject to excuse, as it is under Delaware law and in the majority of states. Drafters of the proposal say it will allow courts necessary scrutiny of self-dealing; critics charge it will tie up corporate boards in needless litigation. Debating the issue are the project\u27s reporter, John C. Coffee, a Columbia University law professor, and Michael P Dooley, a University of Virginia law professor. Coffee says the proposals strike a balance between oversight and efficient operation, while Dooley contends that the new rules will drive up the settlement value of shareholder suits

Efficacy Beliefs are Related to Task Cohesion: Communication is a Mediator

Efficacy beliefs and communication are key constructs which have been targeted to develop task cohesion. This study’s purpose was to: (1) examine whether collective efficacy, team-focused other-efficacy, and team-focused relation-inferred self-efficacy (RISE) are predictive of task cohesion, and (2) evaluate the possibility that communication mediates efficacy-task cohesion relationships. British university team-sport athletes (n = 250) completed questionnaires assessing efficacy beliefs, communication (i.e., positive conflict, negative conflict, and acceptance communication), and task cohesion (i.e., attractions to group; ATG-T, group integration; GI-T). Data were subjected to a multi-group path analysis to test mediation hypotheses while also addressing potential differences across males and females. Across all athletes, collective efficacy and team-focused other-efficacy significantly predicted ATG-T and GI-T directly. Positive conflict and acceptance communication significantly mediated relationships between efficacy (team-focused other-efficacy, collective efficacy) and cohesion (ATG-T, GI-T). Findings suggest enhancing athletes’ collective efficacy and team-focused efficacy beliefs will encourage communication factors affecting task cohesion

The TASS-Q: The Team-referent Availability of Social Support Questionnaire

Objectives To provide initial evidence for the construct validity of the Team-referent Availability of Social Support Questionnaire (the TASS-Q). Design Cross-sectional in Study 1, and two time points in Study 2. Method The preliminary study required participants (N = 47) to assess the content validity—dimensional belonging, understanding, and relevance—of the TASS-Q items. In Study 1, participants (n = 336) completed the TASS-Q and measures of social desirability and negative affectivity. In Study 2, approximately one week before a competition (Day 1, Time 1) participants (n = 413) completed the TASS-Q; approximately 1 h before the same competition (Day 7–9, Time 2) participants completed measures of collective efficacy in relation to the impending competition and team cohesion. Results Following evidence for the scale content validity of the TASS-Q in the preliminary study, Study 1 provided support for the factor structure of the TASS-Q comprising emotional, esteem, informational, and tangible dimensions. Study 2 provided partial evidence for the factor structure of the TASS-Q and evidence of the criterion-related validity of the measure, demonstrating that (a) team-referent esteem support was a positive predictor of collective efficacy, (b) support dimensions, collectively, explained significant variance in task cohesion dimensions, and (c) emotional support was a positive predictor of social cohesion (group integration—social). Conclusions The article provides initial evidence for the construct validity of the TASS-Q and demonstrates, for team-referent social support, the theoretical advantages of examining a multidimensional conceptualisation of perceived availability of social support

Durability and generalization of attribution-based feedback following failure: Effects on expectations and behavioral persistence

Objective: This experiment investigated, following perceived failure, the immediate, long-term (i.e., durability), and cross-situational (i.e., generalization) effects of attribution-based feedback on expectations and behavioral persistence. Design: We used a 3×2 (Group×Time) experimental design over seven weeks with attributions, expectations of success, and persistence as dependent measures. Method: 49 novice participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatment (attributional feedback) groups: (a) functional (i.e., controllable and unstable); (b) dysfunctional (i.e., uncontrollable and stable); or (c) no feedback. Testing involved three sessions, in which participants completed a total of five trials across two performance tasks (golf-putting and dart-throwing). In order to track whether the attributional manipulation conducted within the context of the golf-putting task in Session 2 would generalize to a new situation, participants performed a dart-throwing task in Session 3, and their scores were compared with those recorded at baseline (in Session 1). Results: Analysis of pre- and post-intervention measures of attributions, expectations, and persistence revealed that the functional attributional feedback led to more personally controllable attributions following failure in a golf-putting task, together with increases in success expectations and persistence. In contrast, dysfunctional attributional feedback led to more personally uncontrollable and stable attributions following failure, together with lower success expectations and reduced persistence. These effects extended beyond the intervention period, were present up to four weeks post intervention, and were maintained even when participants performed a different (i.e., dart-throwing) task. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that attributional feedback effects are durable over time and generalize across situations