Research has found that differential attributional styles exist between depressed and nondepressed populations. Depressed (N=32) and nondepressed (N=32) undergraduate female students were selected on the basis of scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist. Participants performed a key press task where the outcome was independent of their behavior and where percentage of reinforcement trials was changed over sessions. Upon task completion, questions were solicited concerning reasons for receiving reinforcements and were measured on Likert-type rating forms relating causes to attributional dimensions: (internal-external; stable-unstable; global-specific). Key press responses were also assessed to provide a behavioral measure for detecting outgoing strategies. Results indicated that the nondepressed group attributed relatively greater responsibility toward themselves for all consequences. The nondepressed group changed their pressing strategy at a significantly higher rate over trials. Analyses provide partial support for a motivational deficit model of depression. (Author/NRB)