Attribution: An Introduction to Theories, Research and Applications

by F÷rsterling,Friedrich

• ISBN13: 9780863777912
• ISBN10: 0863777910
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781317774761
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-08-31
• Publisher: Psychology Pres
• More Book Details

Summary

Attribution concerns the scientific study of naive theories and common-sense explanations. This text provides a thorough and up-to-date introduction to the field combining comprehensive coverage of the fundamental theoretical ideas and most significant research with an overview of more recent developments. The author begins with a broad overview of the central questions and basic assumptions of attribution research. This is followed by discussion of the ways in which causal explanations determine reactions to success or failure and how our causal explanations of other people's actions shape our behaviour toward them. The manner in which attributions may shape communication and how people often quite indirectly communicate their beliefs about causality is also explained. Finally, the issue of changing causal connections in training and therapy is addressed. With end of chapter summaries, and exercises to illustrate key attribution phenomena, Attribution will be essential reading forstudents of social psychology and associated areas such as personality, educational, organisational and clinical psychology.

Table of Contents

Series preface	ix
Introduction	xi
Part I Central questions and basic assumptions	1	(20)
The topics of attribution research	3	(10)
The history and present status of attribution research	6	(3)
The two branches of attribution research	9	(1)
Central assumptions of attribution/al theories	10	(3)
When do we make attributions?	13	(8)
Summary	17	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapters 1 and 2	18	(3)
Part II Antecedents of perceived causality	21	(86)
Heider's analysis of naive psychology	23	(4)
Antecedents of phenomenal causality	27	(6)
Persons as causes	28	(1)
Temporal and spatial contiguity	29	(4)
Antecedents of attributions to intention	33	(10)
Equifinality	33	(2)
Correspondent inferences	35	(5)
Summary	40	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapters 3, 4, and 5	40	(3)
Covariation-based causal inferences	43	(24)
Kelley's covariation principle	45	(12)
Refinements of covariation models	57	(8)
Summary	65	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 6	66	(1)
Configuration concepts	67	(14)
Discounting and augmentation	73	(5)
Summary	78	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 7	79	(2)
Shortcomings and errors in the attribution process	81	(26)
The correspondence bias	82	(3)
Underuse of consensus	85	(1)
The false consensus effect	86	(1)
Self-serving attributions for success and failure	87	(4)
A new perspective on errors and biases	91	(2)
Actor-observer differences	93	(10)
Intergroup attributions	103	(1)
Summary	104	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 8	105	(2)
Part III Consequences of causal attributions	107	(66)
Intrapersonal consequences	109	(40)
Achievement motivation	109	(14)
Helplessness and depression	123	(16)
Loneliness, health behaviour, smoking, recovery, and coping	139	(6)
Summary	145	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 9	146	(3)
Interpersonal consequences	149	(24)
Controllability, intentionality, and responsibility	150	(1)
Interpersonal emotions	151	(1)
Praise and blame	152	(5)
Altruism and aggression	157	(4)
Acceptance and rejection	161	(2)
Diseases and stigmas, expressed emotions, and marital distress	163	(7)
Summary	170	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 10	171	(2)
Part IV The communication of attributions	173	(28)
Language and causal explanations	175	(12)
Conversational processes in causal attributions	175	(2)
The verb-causality effect	177	(10)
Indirect communication of attributions	187	(14)
The implications of praise, blame, help, pity, and anger	187	(6)
Self-handicapping strategies	193	(3)
Excuse giving	196	(2)
Summary	198	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapters 11 and 12	199	(2)
Part V Applications of attribution principles	201	(12)
Attributional retraining	203	(10)
Existing psychotherapies from an attributional perspective	205	(4)
Summary	209	(1)
Exercise questions for Chapter 13	210	(3)
Conclusions	213	(4)
References	217	(18)
Author index	235	(6)
Subject index	241