Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gender and age on sport participants classification of their own open-ended attributions for a successful outcome along the dimension of causality, stability, and controllability. Twenty-two junior varsity (14-16 year olds) and twenty-two adult softball players were asked to complete the Causal Dimension Scale (CDS) (Russell, 1982) upon finishing a softball game. Results of a Gender x Age (2 x 2) MANOVA and follow-up univariate F test revealed an interaction effect on the stability dimension. Female junior varsity perceived the cause of their outcome to be more stable than the other three groups. A gender difference effect emerged on subjects ratings along the lokus of causality and controllability dimensions. Males perceived the reason behind the succesful outcome to be more internal than the females. Females, on the other hand viewed the reason behind their win to be more controllable than males. Ratings on the stability dimension were significantly different as a function of age. The younger players perceived the positive outcome to be due to more stable causes than the adult softball players. Verf.-Referat