Topic > Differences Between the Covariation Model and Attribution Theory

IndexIntroductionKelley's Covariation ModelConsensusDistinctivenessCoherenceWeiner's Attribution TheoryLocusStabilityControllabilityIntroductionAttribution is the process of concluding the causes of events or behaviors. In another way, attribution refers to a central process in human discrimination that helps solve philosophical mysteries. According to this mystery, the mind perceives objects in the world, but perception exists in the mind itself. Attribution influences how people interact with each other. The father of attribution theory is Fritz Heider. Attribution is classified into internal vs external and stable vs unstable dimensions. In an internal attribution, people think that an event or a person's behavior is due to personal factors such as traits, abilities, or feelings. In an external attribution, people believe that a person's behavior is due to situational factors. When people make a stable attribution, they conclude that an event or behavior is due to immutable factors. When they make an unstable attribution, they conclude that an event or behavior is due to temporary factors. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Kelley's Covariation ModelKelley's covariation model is a theory of attribution in which people explain their behavior to others through observation. According to Kelley (1973: 108), an effect is attributed to one of its possible causes with which it covaries over time. This explains that a person's behavior is acclaimed to causes seen at a certain time. This covariation model is also considered the best-known attribution theory due to its logical model that helped classify a specific action as internal or external. Consent attributions are made based on three criteria. These are consensus, particularity and coherence. Consensus means the covariation of behaviors between different people. It simply refers to how people behave in exactly similar ways in similar situations. For example, if many people find Jessica attractive, consensus is high. But if only John found Jessica attractive, approval would be low. Low consensus is attributed to the person; the high consensus is instead attributed to the stimulant. In this case, the stimulant is Jessica and the person is John. Distinctiveness The next class of evidence is distinctiveness. This class refers to the uniqueness of behavior in a particular situation. Distinctiveness is low if the person behaves the same way in all situations. Distinctiveness is high if the person displays particular behavior in a particular situation. For example, David praises Peter's work, and if David rarely praises other people's work, he shows high distinctiveness. But praise everyone's work, this is low distinctiveness. The first attributes the behavior to the person and, in this case, it is David. Coherence The last class of the covariation model is coherence. The co-variation of behavior over time is called coherence. For example, if Elsa is always angry, she shows high consistency. But if Elsa is rarely angry or upset at specific times, perhaps due to workload, she shows little consistency. The person is attributed with high consistency and in this case Elsa is an angry person. On the other hand, a lack of coherence is attributed to the situation. In this case, the workload makes people angry. So the result is that when we see that two things go together, it is safe to assume that one thing causes.