Kelley’s Theory Of Causal Attribution
Kelley uses three variables in attempting to determine whether one’s performance (or behavior) is due to internal factors (over which, presumably, he or she has some degree of control) or external factors (over which, presumably, he or she has little or no control):
Consensus
Consistency
Distinctiveness
Consensus -- the extent to which an individual performs or behaves the same as others in the same situation and at the same time
Consistency – the extent to which an individual performs or behaves the same as he or she has in the past in the same situation
Distinctiveness – the extent to which the individual performs or behaves differently than he or she has in the past in different situations
According to Kelley:
Behavior is almost always due to INTERNAL FACTORS when:
-- consensus is LOW
-- consistency is HIGH
-- distinctiveness is LOW
Behavior is almost always due to EXTERNAL FACTORS when:
-- consensus is HIGH
-- consistency is LOW
-- distinctiveness is HIGH
TO DO...
Use Kelley's "Theory of Causal Attribution" (as described in the My Two Cents section of Module 3) to answer the question at the end of each of the six scenarios presented regarding JoAnn Ingram and the chili contest she entered. For each scenario: Note whether "consensus" is high or low, whether 'consistency" is high or low, and whether "distinctiveness" is high or low. Then, based on your findings, explain whether the results of the contest were due to internal factors, external factors, or if Kelley's Theory is of no help in making this determination. (FYI, you will find examples of each in these six scenarios.) ANSWER QUES 3-6 FULL DETAILS
3. To what would you attribute JoAnn’s poor performance in the chili cook-off if your investigation had revealed that her chili has never been considered very good by those who have tried it but that she is generally thought to be an excellent cook overall? Explain by referring specifically to each of the three dimensions of Kelley’s Theory of Causal Attribution.
4. To what would you attribute JoAnn’s poor performance in the chili cook-off if your investigation had revealed that her chili is generally considered excellent although she is generally not thought of as a very good cook – and that the judges scored all of the chili entries low? Explain by referring specifically to each of the three dimensions of Kelley’s Theory of Causal Attribution.
5. To what would you attribute JoAnn’s poor performance in the chili cook-off if your investigation had revealed that her chili is generally considered excellent and that she is generally thought to be an excellent cook – and that the judges scored all of the chili entries low? Explain by referring specifically to each of the three dimensions of Kelley’s Theory of Causal Attribution.
6. To what would you attribute JoAnn’s poor performance in the chili cook-off if your investigation had revealed that her chili has never been considered very good by those who have tried it although she is generally thought to be an excellent cook – and that the judges didn’t score any of the chili entries high? Explain by referring specifically to each of the three dimensions of Kelley’s Theory of Causal Attribution.