Perceived Relatedness of Trait-Dispositions to Ability and Effort

Abstract

The present study derives from Heider's (1958) “naive analysis of action.” The study was designed to determine the extent to which trait-dispositions are related to the concepts of ability and effort and to assess the extent to which these attributions are correlated with stability and “likableness.” 67 Ss evaluated the degree to which each of 50 trait-disposition words was related to the concepts of ability and effort. The obtained ratings of relevance of both ability and effort were highly correlated with ratings of stability in earlier research. Results reflected a “positivity bias” in that ratings of relevance of ability and effort were highly correlated with ratings of “likableness” of the trait. Ratings of relevance of ability and effort were positively correlated, indicating a tendency to view trait-dispositions as being related both to ability and effort.