Fifth-grade students classified as high or low in self-concept were paired in an achievement-related task in which one succeeded and one failed. High self-concept children attributed success more to their high ability and engaged in more positive self-reinforcement than did low self-concept children. Results were discussed within an attribution…

Two studies found temporal persistence and resistance to extinction to be positively related to the attribution of failure to insufficient effort, and negatively related to ability and task difficulty in sixth graders. Results provided support for the attribution model of achievement motivation as well as empirical foundation for attribution…

A random sample of medical students was compared with others who were unable to cope with unanticipated academic frustration. Techniques of attribution therapy and desensitization in the counseling of these students proved to be effective in improving coping behavior in six of seven cases. (Author/LBH)

Contrary to prediction, failure feedback increased the performance of all fifth graders involved in this study, whether they had scored high or low on a locus of control measure. (Ed./JD)

Of what importance are our impressions and perceptions of others? This empirical investigation suggests that social perceptions can and do exert powerful channeling effects on subsequent social interaction such that actual behavioral confirmation of these beliefs is produced. Outlines a theoretical account of the processes believed to underlie…

This paper focuses on the situational factors which operate on women to shape their domestic and professional choices and behavior. The analysis proposed is based on social psychological theories, such as role theory and social comparison and attribution theory, rather than on the genetic or personality theories. (Author/AM)

Investigates the generality of stereotypes associated with physical attractiveness and assesses the relative contributions of attractiveness and ethnicity in determining children's behavioral attributions and peer preferences. (JMB)

Clarifies several ambiguities concerning the manner in which persons combine behavioral information and information about others' opinions to infer the beliefs held by themselves and others. (Author/RK)

Family communication patterns and individual levels of dogmatism were found to influence the dogmatism attributed to television characters. (KS)

Used classification scheme developed by Marlatt and Gordon (1980) to categorize the highly tempting situations of 596 participants in smoking cessation programs. Relapsers had significantly more situations characterized by withdrawal symptoms and negative affect and fewer situations involving cigarette cues than did temporary lapsers and…

Considers the following dimensions of attributional models: (1) responsibility for causes of problems, and (2) for solutions to problems. Finds a significant association between femininity and low internal attribution of responsibility for problem solving. Discusses results in terms of sex role and gender differences in help seeking. (Author/LHW)

Investigated relationships between performance on a gender-neutral task and gender, self-efficacy, performance attributions, and task interest in 92 college students. Subjects decreased their ratings of self-efficacy and task interest as a result of failure. The same ratings increased as a result of success. Findings support self-efficacy theory.…

Two studies demonstrate that factors known to influence the attribution of negative intentionality play an important role in judgments of sexual harassment. Discussion examines how people differ in their judgments of sexual harassment. (FMW)

Examines the distinction between good touch and bad touch, a critical concept that is taught in virtually every child sexual abuse prevention program. Hypothesizes that the reason the distinction is difficult for young children to learn and retain stems from limitations in their abilities to judge a person's character. (SKC)

Discusses the following in relation to their predictability to future drug abuse in youth: (1) susceptibility of children of chemically dependent parents; (2) genetic transmutation; (3) family structure and management; (4) socialization; and (5) cognitive family characteristics. (Author/LHW)