This example illustrates another approach researchers take when trying
to understand achievement. Many psychologists are interested in the explana-
tions people generate for why they do well or poorly in achievement situa-
tions (Weiner, 1985, 1990, 2006). According to this approach, we often ask
ourselves why we have failed or succeeded. The answer to this question— our
attribution —determines how we feel about the performance and how we per-
form in similar situations in the future.
There are many ways to analyze the kinds of attributions people give
for their performances, but researchers typically focus on three dimensions
(Table 8.1). One is the stability dimension. We can explain our performance
by pointing to stable causes, such as intelligence, or to unstable causes, such
as luck. In addition, an attribution may be either internal to us, such as the
amount of effort put forth, or external, such as a difficult test. Researchers re-
fer to this dimension as locus. Finally there is the dimension of control —
whether we can control or not control the cause of the success or failure.
By examining attributions along these three dimensions, researchers can
predict how people respond to successes and failures. For example, perform-
ing well on a test, being promoted in an organization, or winning a tennis
match should enhance your sense of well-being, but only if you believe the
reason for success is internal. If you win a tennis game because your oppo-
nent is a lousy tennis player or had the sun in her eyes (external attributions),
you probably won ’t feel very good about the victory. How a person responds
to future events often depends on the perceived stability of the cause of the
performance. If you lose the tennis match because your opponent is a better
player (stable), you probably will not expect to win next time you two play.
However, if you attribute the loss to some unstable bad luck, you might
be eager for another match. This analysis helps explain why most people
continue to participate in sports, even though not everyone can be a winner.
Research indicates that most of us attribute our losses to unstable sources,thus keeping alive hope of winning the next time (Grove, Hanrahan, &
McInman, 1991).
TABLE8.1
Three Dimensions for Attributions
Stability Stable Attributions Unstable Attributions
Good coordination Good luckPoor math attitude Illness (such as a cold)
Locus Internal Attributions External Attributions
Extra effort Easy testPoor skills Difficult competition
Control Controllable Attributions Uncontrollable AttributionsHigh motivation From a wealthy familyNot enough practice Weak national economyAchievement Motivation 189