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Attribution Theory
And Its Applications
To Academic Behavior

Attribution Theory
Rotter (1956)
Precursor to Attribution Theory
Locus of Control
Varied on two dimensions: internal or external. Attribution Theory
Fritz Heider (1958)
A means by which we interpret and understand behavior.
Behavior remains meaningless until we attribute a cause for that behavior.
The causes to which we attribute the behavior of ourselves or others impacts how we behave toward others and influences our future performance.

1

Attribution Theory
Kelley’s ANOVA Cube (1967).
Identified the observational criteria we use to determine if a behavior is environmentally caused or personally caused.
Do others do the same in the same circumstances? (Consensus)
Does the same person do the same thing in the same circumstances? (Consistency)
Does the same thing happen at other times?
(Distinctiveness).

Attribution Theory
Types of
Attribution
PersonStable
SituationStable
PersonUnstable
SituationUnstable

Distinctiveness Consensus

Consistency

Low

Low

High

High

High

High

Low

Low

Low

High

High

Low

Weiner (1972, 1974)
There are 4 general things to which one can attribute life events:
Internal - Stable, or Skill / Ability
Internal - Unstable, or Effort
External - Stable, or Task Difficulty
External - Unstable, or Luck

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Weiner (1972, 1974)
Attribution Theory applied to academic achievement. 1. Locus of control
Internal locus of control (within person) External locus of control (in situation)
Regarded as most fundamental distinction among causal explanations.

Weiner (1972, 1974)
2. Stability of cause
Stable cause (relatively permanent and unchanging)
Unstable cause (subject to change)
Tasks of skill versus tasks of luck
When someone succeeds in tasks of skill, attribute outcome to stable attributes (ability), so expect same outcome in future.
When someone succeeds in game of luck,