Field-Study Evidence of an Ego-Defensive Bias in Attribution among Two Categories of Observers

Abstract

Data from a field stud)' originally' conducted for a different purpose were reanalyzed for evidence of attributional bias. Coaches rated players' abilities and efforts at preseason and midway through a losing season. Results were consistent with predictions derived from an analysis of differential role demands: The head coach perceived players as having greater abilities but poorer efforts at midseason than preseason; assistant coaches perceived less ability but greater efforts at midseason than preseason. The findings are seen as consistent with the notion of a self-esteem-protecting bias in causal attribution.