Attribution Theory

Controllability of cause

Internal, stable causes of behavior often cannot be controlled, that is, cannot be willfully changed, for example- Intellectual ability Physical coordination Athletic prowess

Controllability of cause

Internal, unstable causes of behavior often can be controlled, for example- Effort is an internal, unstable cause of behavior that can be willfully changed. Boredom is an internal, unstable cause of behavior that can be willfully changed.

External, stable, controllable causes of behavior, for example:

Neighborhood safety (children can play outside) Having a car (drive instead of walk)

Stability

The consistency or permanence of a cause Causes are either stable or unstable along with being internal or external Stable internal Unstable internal Stable Stable external Unstable external

Theory essence sentence

There is a cause or explanation for things that happen. By knowing the cause of an outcome, it can be repeated if the same outcome is desirable, or changed if the outcome is undesirable.

Stable external cause

Things outside of the person that are stable from day to day. Safety of the environment (neighborhood) Access to care Task difficulty

Unstable external causes

Things outside of the person that can and do change from day to day. Luck Weather Variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at the food store.

Stable internal cause

Things within a person that are constant from day to day - for example: Athletic ability Creativity Intellect

Unstable internal causes

Things within the person that can and do change from day to day: Mood Desire Energy level

In 1971, Bernard Weiner combined the four characteristics related to success and failure:

ability effort difficulty of task locus of control and added causal stability and control to develop the foundation of Attribution Theory.

Internal locus of control

events are the result of something within the person that he/she has control over (skill, knowledge, desire)

external locus of control

events are the result of things outside the person that he/she does not have control over (fate, luck, chance)

In the beginning

Attribution theory grew out of a desire to explain what motivates people to do things. Much of the research leading to this theory focused on success or failure relative to a specific behavior and the internal factors or external situations that influenced the outcome.

What are the constructs?

Causation is affected by: Locus of control Stability Controllability

Controllability

The extent to which cause can be willfully changed (controlled). Some causes can be changed and other cannot

What is locus of control

The extent to which people believe they have control over events in their lives.

External, unstable, uncontrollable causes of behavior, for example:

Weather (too cold/hot to walk) Traffic (road rage)