"Self-Serving" Attributions to Valenced Causal Factors

Abstract

Previous field studies of self-attributions have used correlational methodologies. Consequently, one cannot be sure that the performance outcomes themselves produced the divergent attributions typically found. To address this problem, a field experiment was performed in which ski racers were randomly assigned to manipulated outcomes and then made attributions for these outcomes. A second problem with previous research concerns the wording of items assessing attributions. The wording itself might sometimes produce divergent attributions in the absence of any self-serving motivations. To address this issue, subjects made attributions to positively and negatively valenced factors. Although divergent attributions were found, they do not appear to be self-serving. Although participants attributed success more than failure to internal, facilitating factors, they also attributed failure more than success to internal, debilitating factors. These results support the information-processing, rather than the motivational, explanation for self-attributions.