Causal attribution for success and failure: A multivariate investigation of dimensionality, formation, and consequences.

The dimensions underlying causal attributions for success and failure, the influence of various informational cues on attributions along the dimensions, and the consequences of such attributions were investigated using a 3-mode factor analytic technique (PARAFAC; parallel factors) developed by R. Harshman (1976). Hypothetical cases describing high school students' performance on a university entrance exam and in high school, the performance of others on the exam, and the importance of the exam were presented to 193 male undergraduates in a within-Ss design. The students were described as male to half of the Ss and as female to the other half. Ss judged how strongly each of 9 possible causes (e.g., ability, preparation) may have influenced performance on the exam. Ratings of perceived satisfaction and expectancy of future success were also obtained. Results reveal 3 factors corresponding to and supporting the stability, locus, and control dimensions proposed by B. Weiner (1974; also, see record 1984-08688-001). Attributions along these dimensions were influenced primarily by consistency, consensus, and incentive information, respectively. Ratings of expectancy and satisfaction were in turn related to the stability and controllability of the perceived causes. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)