| dc.description |
A general model of attribution is proposed, it is suggested that the attribution process begins with the attention of the perceiver, which is influenced by cognitive, motivational, and stimulus factors. Once attention is directed, a taxonomy of variables determines the attribution, depending on how much information the perceiver has about the actor. For a stranger, where the least information is available, the attribution depends on whether a person schema or normative script is salient, and whether or not the behavior is expected. For the self, where the most information is available, the direction of the attribution depends on set valence (beliefs about the self in this situation) and whether the behavior is positive or negative. Integration of the model with previous research in areas such as the fundamental attribution error, expectancy violation, the self-serving bias, and the actor-observer bias also is discussed. |
