Understanding Kelley's Covariation Model

Apr 23, 2025

Kelley's Covariation Model and Attribution Theory

Introduction

  • Kelley's Covariation Model (1967 by Harold Kelley) is a theory of attribution.
    • Explains how people determine the causes of behaviors, either of themselves or others.
    • Concept: People look at patterns of behavior across situations, people, and times to make attributions.

Kelley's Covariation Model

  • Three Types of Information to Consider:

    1. Consensus:
      • Do others behave the same way in this situation?
      • High consensus: Many people behave similarly.
      • Low consensus: Few people behave similarly.
    2. Distinctiveness:
      • Does this person behave differently in different situations?
      • High distinctiveness: Behaves differently across situations.
      • Low distinctiveness: Behaves the same across situations.
    3. Consistency:
      • Does this person behave the same way over time in this situation?
      • High consistency: Behavior is the same every time.
      • Low consistency: Behavior differs over time.
  • How It Works:

    • Combination of high/low consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency leads to different attributions.

    | Consensus | Distinctiveness | Consistency | Likely Attribution | |-----------|-----------------|-------------|--------------------| | High | High | High | External (situation) | | Low | Low | High | Internal (person's traits) | | Low/High | High/Low | Low | Circumstantial (unusual situation) |

Examples

  • Example 1: Alex Yelling

    • Situation: Alex yelling at a barista.
    • Low consensus, low distinctiveness, high consistency leads to an internal attribution (Alex is rude).
  • Example 2: Sara Failing a Math Test

    • High consensus, high distinctiveness, high consistency leads to an external attribution (the test was hard or teaching was poor).

Applications in Real Life

  • Workplace:
    • A boss uses the model to determine if an employee is late due to personal traits or external factors.
  • Marketing:
    • Creating high consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency for positive product perceptions.
  • Education:
    • Teachers use the model to understand if performance issues stem from student traits or teaching methods.

Attribution Theory

What is Attribution?

  • Explains how people perceive the causes of behaviors and events.
  • Helps understand, predict, and control the social environment.

Types of Attribution

  1. Internal Attribution (Dispositional):
    • Traits, personality, or abilities cause behavior.
    • E.g., "She's late because she's irresponsible."
  2. External Attribution (Situational):
    • Environmental factors cause behavior.
    • E.g., "She's late because of traffic."

Major Theories

  1. Heider's Attribution Theory (1958):
    • People attribute behavior to internal or external factors.
  2. Kelley's Covariation Model (1967):
    • Uses consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency for attributions.
  3. Weiner's Attribution Theory (1985):
    • Includes dimensions like locus of control, stability, controllability.

Attribution Biases

  1. Fundamental Attribution Error:
    • Overemphasize internal factors for others.
    • E.g., "They're rude" instead of "maybe they have an emergency."
  2. Actor-Observer Bias:
    • Personal behaviors are explained situationally, others' are dispositional.
  3. Self-Serving Bias:
    • Success is internal, failure is external.

Real Life Applications

  • Education:
    • Attribution affects motivation (internal vs. external reasons for failure).
  • Relationships:
    • Happy couples use external attributions for negative behaviors.
  • Business:
    • Leaders balance external/internal attributions for accountability.
  • Therapy:
    • Focus on changing negative attribution styles.