A number of bipolar personality dimensions were investigated, some of which were selected a priori as being primarily concerned with interpersonal differences in skill (such as unintelligence--intelligence), and others of which were thought to describe differences in preferences (such as indoor--outdoor). (Editor)

Investigates the effects of actors' expectancies about the outcome of an event (positive or negative) and observation of the actual outcome (positive or negative) while in a state of high or low objective self-awareness upon attribution of causality for the outcome. (Author/RK)

Assesses the effects of both role and behavioral respectability upon subjects' observer and perceived actor attributions. One of two descriptions of the actor's behavioral history (High or Low Behavioral Respectability) and one of three descriptions of his current role position (High, Medium, or Low Role Respectability) were given to each subject…

The "Barnum effect" is the phenomenon whereby people willingly give their approval and acceptance of personality interpretations purportedly derived from the results of assessment procedures. The research generated over the last 25 years relative to this acceptance phenomenon is reviewed. (Author)

Social information-processing patterns in 9- through 12-year olds at least partially supported 3 hypotheses: only reactive-aggressive children would demonstrate hostile biases in their attributions of intentions in provocation situations; only proactive-aggressive children would evaluate aggression in positive ways; and proactive-aggressive…

Conducted a meta-analytic review of 41 studies to explore the relation between children's aggressive behavior and hostile attribution of intent to peers. Found a significant association between hostile attribution of intent and aggressive behavior, with larger effects associated with more severe aggressive behavior, rejection by peers as a…

A British study examined relationships between dyslexia and the ways in which students perceive themselves as learners, specifically their personal constructs and attributional styles. Results indicated that dyslexia has negative consequences for students' individual development. Suggestions are offered for making schools more "dyslexia…

Describes two cases where an elementary school teacher's behavior influenced a student to either pursue or avoid math. Reviews the tenets of attribution theory, and theories regarding autonomous learning behaviors in relation to these cases. Discusses ways teachers can help students develop beneficial and useful attributions about mathematics…

Examined causal attributions for turnover of employees by supervisory (N=107) and non-supervisory (N=155) employees. Subjects rated extent of their agreement with two reasons for employee turnover: job dissatisfaction and external causes/family matters. Causal attributions of both groups were related to job attitudes: less satisfied subjects…

Examined how personnel managers (N=19) and line managers (N=28) make disciplinary decisions using policy-capturing approach. Findings suggested that factors likely to affect attributions about reason for a disciplinary problem were important determinants of disciplinary decisions. Considerable weight was assigned to either provocation, tenure, or…

Causal statements from adults with learning disabilities and normally achieving adults were analyzed and organized within a linguistic taxonomy of causal semantic relations, and a relationship between Piagetian cognitive stages and verbal expressions of causality were identified. Piagetian principles were used to design assessment and intervention…

Examines negative emotional response in 124 Canadian college students. Using sad stories and music, tests how information about others' responses influences their casual attributions. Shows subjects informed they had reacted more negatively than others made more internal casual attributions. Suggests consensus information does not influence affect…

Describes learned helplessness and its effect on ability of displaced homemakers to enter or reenter the work force successfully. Suggests that success in making transition from homemaker to worker may depend on attributions women provide for their failed or ended marriages. Discusses ways in which counselors may assist displaced homemakers in…

Four samples of university freshmen (N=859) rated the influence of 10 possible factors on exam performance. A subset sample (n=209) assessed 10 factors along 3 of the 4 dimensions identified in the first study. Results indicate that the dimensions of locus, stability, control, and globality constitute major causal attributions. (TJH)

Examines social and parasocial interaction from interpersonal attribution perspectives. Finds subjects' relationships with soap opera characters, like social relationships with real people, are based on reduction of uncertainty and ability to predict the character's feelings and attitudes. Discusses implications for uncertainty reduction theory…