Dysfunctional attributions of success as a distinct feature of amotivation

Abstract

We examined the association between causal attributions and self-reported motivational negative symptoms (amotivation) in a German online community sample (n = 251). Bivariate correlations revealed significant associations between amotivation and attribution of success to external, variable, and specific causes. No associations between amotivation and failure attributions were found. Our data suggest that demotivational causal attributions of success could be a feature of amotivation and a promising target for research and intervention.