IB Sports, exercise and health science C.1.2 Mental Toughness Key Definitions

Attribution theory examines how people explain their successes and failures, influencing their future expectations and achievement behavior. Heider (1958) originally categorized attributions into four factors: ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck.

A condition in which a person has a sense of powerlessness event or persistent failure to succeed. It is thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression.

Mental toughness is a personality trait that allows a person to perform consistently under pressure. It's a state of mind that can be improved through practice.

Athletic success is influenced by multiple factors, including physical, tactical, technical, and psychological aspects, with psychological strength often being the key differentiator between winners and others.

A malleable personality trait that helps individuals manage challenging situations by enhancing commitment, confidence, perceived control, and resilience.

Psychological Skills Training (PST) is a change-based approach designed to enhance athletic performance by helping athletes manage their thoughts, emotions, and mental states.

The self-fulfilling prophecy is a concept that suggests our beliefs and expectations about ourselves or others can actually influence the outcomes we experience.