Attribution
MBUS 612
Prof. Elloy
Attribution Theory
• Consensus involves comparison of an individual's
behavior with that of his or her peers.
• Distinctiveness is determined by comparing a
person's behavior on one task with his/her behavior
on other tasks.
• Consistency is determined by judging if the
individual's performance on a given task is
consistent over time.
Attribution Cues
• Consistency Cues:
Does the person engage in the behavior regularly and
consistently?
• Consensus Cues:
Do most people engage in the behavior, or is it unique to this
person?
• Distinctive Cues:
Does the person engage in the behavior in many situation -- or
is it distinctive to one situation?
Attributional Biases
• Fundamental attribution error
• Actor-observer effect
• Self-serving attribution
Kelly’s Model of Attribution
•
Basic Premise:
An attribution is based on the consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency of the
observed behavior.
•
Consensus:
- Involves comparing an individual's behavior with that of his or her peers.
- High consistency indicates an individual is different from peers.
•
Distinctiveness:
- Involves comparing a person's behavior or accomplishments on one task with
the behavior or accomplishments from other tasks
- Highly distinctive behavior or results represents a situation where the current
behavior or result is significantly different from typical behavior or results on
other tasks.
Kelly’s Model of Attribution (cont.)
• Consistency:
- Involves comparing a person's behavior or accomplishments
on a given task over time.
- High consistency implies that a person performs a certain task
the same, time after time.
• Predictions:
- Internal or personal attributions are made when a behavior is
associated with low consensus and distinctiveness, and high
consistency.
- External or environmental attributions are made when a
behavior is related with high consensus and distinctiveness,
and low consistency.
Internal vs. External Attribution
• Internal Attribution:
assigns the cause of behavior to some characteristic of the person
– Ability
– Personality
– Motivation
• External Attribution:
assigns the cause of behavior to factors external to the person
– Task Difficulty
– Luck
Pygmalion Effect
Peoples' expectations and beliefs
determine their behaviors and
performance; thus, serving to make
their expectations come true.
Model an Example of Attribution Process
• Casual Attributions:
Suspected or inferred causes of someone's behavior.
• General Model of Attribution Process:
Antecedent
People consider the
A behavior
antecedents of the
is observed  behavior:
Why did the behavior
occur?
Attribution
People determine
the causes of
behavior:
This represents an
attribution.
Consequence
Attributions
affect our
subsequent
expectations
about people.