Attribution Theory

Wiener’s Belief Systems

 Attribution Theory
 Cognitive View of Motivation
• Problems arise from faulty thinking
 Beliefs, perceptions, interpretations
• “Everybody hates me!”
• “He did it on purpose!”
• I’m just not good at_________”
• Intervention corrects faulty thinking
 Propose alternative thinking processes
 We all become what we believe we are
 Attribution Theory
 Attributions
• Causal explanations for our successes &
failures
 Student excuses
 Examples:???????????????
• I’m the dumb one in my family
• I had computer problems
• I’m just not good at art
• Just got too busy with other work
• My partner was supposed to finish the project
 Attribution Theory
 Weiner’s research
• Thousands of student excuses collected
• Sorted according to like characteristics
 Elements of Attributions
• Locus
 Internal* to the speaker
• Genetics, emotional, judgment, etc
 External* to the speaker
• Society, family, luck, etc.
 Attribution Theory
 Elements of Attributions – cont.
• Stability
 Unstable, changeable*
• Temporary state
 Stable, unchangeable*
• Enduring Trait
• Responsibility
 Controllable*
• Personally accountable
 Uncontrollable*
• Blaming other people, things, luck, etc.
 Attribution Theory
 What is the belief system for these:
• I’m the dumb one in my family
• I had computer problems
• I’m just not good at _________
 My parent weren’t very good at_______either

• Just got too busy with other work

• My partner was supposed to finish the project
• I forgot my homework
• I was sick the day of the test
• The teacher hates girls
• Terrible teacher
• I have no interest in _________.
 Attribution Theory
 Common Belief Systems
• Learned helplessness
 Graveyard spiral
• No expectation for success
• Internal/external-unchangeable-uncontrollable
• Productive students
 Stairway to Heaven
• Will work until they achieve
• Internal – changeable – controllable