Attribution Theory and Research

Abstract

Reviews research on the perception of causation and the consequences of such perception. The focus of these studies has been the perceived causes of other persons' behavior and of the perceived causes of one's own behavior; the most recent interest has centered on differences between other and self-perception. Attribution theory refers to the study of the perception or inference of cause. Ideas common to the several attribution "theories" are that people interpret behavior in terms of its causes and that these interpretations play an important role in determining reactions to the behavior. The antecedents of attribution—information, beliefs, motivation, and actors' vs observers' attributions—and the consequences of attributions—person vs environment, intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, various causes for arousal (hidden and false causes, false feedback), skill vs chance (e.g., internal–external locus of control), and intentional vs unintentional consequences—are examined. Some of the implications of attribution theory for practical problems are discussed, including communicator credibility in advertising, treatment of phobias through reattribution, improvement of students' persistence and self-esteem, and clinical treatment of behavioral deviance, hyperactivity, and some depression. (7 p ref)