Attribution Theory

Question 1

Kelley’s Covariation Model

Answer 1

People assign the cause of behaviour to the factor that covaries most closely with the behaviour

Question 2

3 Classes of Information

Answer 2

Consistency: Information about the extent to which a behaviour ‘Y’ always co-occurs with a stimulus ‘X’

Distinctiveness: Information about whether a persons reaction occurs only with 1 stimulus, or is a common reaction to many stimuli

Consensus: Information about the extent to which other people react in the same way to a stimulus ‘X’

Question 3

Internal attribution

Answer 3

If behaviour is high in consistency, but low in distinctiveness and consensus

Question 4

External attribution

Answer 4

If behaviour is high in consistency, consensus and distinctiveness we make an external attribution

Question 5

Limitation (1 example)

Answer 5

Critics argue that working out the covariations is difficult

Question 6

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Answer 6

When we try to explain the reason why a person behaves the way they do, we tend to underestimate the role of situational factors and overestimate the role of personality and other personal characteristics

Question 7

Dispositional & Situational Attributions

Answer 7

Dispositional - Attributing behaviour to personal characteristics
Situational - Attributing behaviour to personal circumstances

Question 8

Why do we make FAE?

Answer 8

Focus of attention: More likely to notice the actor and their behaviour than the situation and circumstances influencing behaviour

Predictability of behaviour: To fulfill the observer’s need to predict and control the world and their surroundings

Question 9

Self-serving Bias

Answer 9

Tendency of actors to attribute successful behaviour to dispositional/personal causes but unsuccessful behaviour to situational causes