A theory of motivation and emotion is proposed in which causal ascriptions play a key role. It is first documented that in achievement-related contexts there are a few dominant causal perceptions. The perceived causes of success and failure share three common properties: locus, stability, and controllability, with intentionality and globality as other possible causal structures. The perceived stability of causes influences changes in expectancy of success; all three dimensions of causality affect a variety of common emotional experiences, including anger, gratitude, guilt, hopelessness, pity, pride, and shame. Expectancy and affect, in turn, are presumed to guide motivated behavior. The theory therefore relates the structure of thinking to the dynamics of feeling and action. Analysis of a created motivational episode involving achievement strivings is offered, and numerous empirical observations are examined from this theoretical position. The strength of the empirical evidence, the capability of this theory to address prevalent human emotions, and the potential generality of the conception are stressed. In 1645, Miyomota Musashi was contemplating the causes of his past success as a warrior. In A Book of Five Rings he mused, When I reached thirty I looked back on my past. The previous victories were not due to my having mastered strategy. Perhaps it was natural ability, or the order of heaven, or that other schools' strategy was inferior. (1645/1974, p. 35) Timber industry experts blame high interest rates, the housing slump, tough logging regulation, and expansion

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A theory of motivation based upon attributions of causality for success and failure is offered. The heart of the theory consists of an identification of the dimensions of causality and the relation of these underlying properties of causes to psychological consequences. Three central causal dimensions have been discerned: stability, locus, and control; these dimensions, respectively, are linked with expectancy change, esteem-related emotions, and interpersonal judgments. Within achievement-related contexts, this theory is pertinent to a diverse array of phenomena and topics, including self-esteem maintenance, achievement-change programs, reinforcement schedules, hopelessness, sources of emotion, helping, evaluation, and liking. The range of the theory is further demonstrated by applications to hyperactivity, mastery, parole decisions, loneliness and affiliation, and depression. It appears that a general theory of motivation is under development that has important implications for the understanding of classroom thought and behavior.

offers a unified theory of motivation and emotion, based on the attributional perspective. He outlines the basic principles of his attributional theory and presents results from recent investigations into the cognitive determinants of motivation and emotion. 1986. App. 328 pp. Hardcover $39.50 ISBN 0-387-96312-X (Springer Series in Social Psychology) Public Self and Private SelfEdited by Roy F. Baumeister What is the relationship between the private self and the public self? Leading researchers provide new ideas and answers to questions raised by the study of self-presentation. With contributions by R.

In two experiments, we examined the perceived controllability and stability of the causes of 10 stigmas. Guided by attribution theory, we also ascertained the affective reactions of pity and anger, helping judgments, and the efficacy of five intervention techniques. In the first study we found that physically based stigmas were perceived as onset-uncontrollable, and elicited pity, no anger, and judgments to help. On the other hand, mental-behavioral stigmas were perceived as onset-controllable, and elicited little pity, much anger, and judgments to neglect. In addition, physically based stigmas were perceived as stable, or irreversible, whereas mental-behavioral stigmas were generally considered unstable, or reversible. The perceived efficacy of disparate interventions was guided in part by beliefs about stigma stability. In the second study we manipulated perceptions of causal controllability. Attributional shifts resulted in changes in affective responses and behavioral judgments. However, attributional alteration was not equally possible for all the stigmas.