Eileen is reluctant to go out for the school soccer team. We want to enhance her self-confidence about becoming a successful soccer player. If we consider the textbook's recommendations for communicating optimistic attributions, the best thing we can say to Eileen is:
A) "Some people are just naturally good soccer players, and I've seen signs that you're probably one of them."
B) "You have some natural athletic ability, and learning and practicing new techniques will make you even better."
C) "Skill in soccer is totally a function of how hard you work at the game."
D) "The game of soccer is largely a matter of luck. Some days are good ones and some days are bad. You just never know how things will go."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option B provides a positive attribution to Eileen's natural athletic ability and suggests that she can further improve her skills through learning and practice. This attribution is optimistic and constructive, which can boost her self-confidence about becoming a successful soccer player. Option A presents a fixed mindset, implying that success in soccer is predetermined. Option C can be perceived as putting excessive pressure on Eileen to work hard, potentially undermining her confidence if she encounters obstacles. Finally, option D is pessimistic and fatalistic, suggesting that success in soccer is mainly a matter of luck instead of effort and skill.

Eileen Is Reluctant to Go Out for the School Soccer