Understanding Attribution Theory and Kelley's Covariation Model 🧠

Introduction

• Explaining behavior of others involves examining internal and external factors.
• Internal (Dispositional) Factors: Attributes related to the person.
• External (Situational) Factors: Attributes related to the environment.
• Attribution Theory: Framework for finding explanations for others' behaviors.

Spectrum of Behavior

• Behavior is a mix of internal and external factors.
• Blue line in the middle: Spectrum showing combination of these factors.

Kelley's Covariation Model

• Purpose: Determine if behavior is attributed to internal or external causes.
• Uses three main cues: Consistency, Distinctiveness, Consensus.

Consistency

• Example: Forever flaky friend.
  • Observing if a friend consistently cancels plans over a month.
  • High Consistency: More likely attributed to internal factors (friend's nature).

Distinctiveness

• Example: Jim, the relaxed friend, gets furious at a pizza parlor.
  • Out of Character Behavior: Indicates situational factors.
  • We attribute Jim's unusual rage to the specific situation/environment.

Consensus

• Example: Group lateness (made-up term by the speaker).
  • If many people are late to a meeting, high consensus is observed.
  • High Consensus: Indicates situational factors (e.g., weather, parking).

Summary

• Consistency: High consistency = internal factors.

• Distinctiveness: High distinctiveness = external factors.

• Consensus: High consensus = external factors.

• Overall: Kelley's Covariation Model helps in systematically attributing behavior to the right causes.