Dissecting Dispositionality: Distance Increases Stability of Attribution

Abstract

Causes of behavior are often classified as either dispositional (e.g., personality) or situational (e.g., circumstances). However, the disposition–situation dichotomy confounds locus (internal vs. external) and stability (unstable vs. stable) of attribution, rendering it unclear whether locus or stability drives changes in dispositionality. In the present research, we examine the dispositional shift—that is, psychologically distant (vs. near) events are attributed to dispositional (vs. situational) causes. Using construal level theory, we hypothesize that the dispositional shift is caused by a change in stability (but not necessarily locus) of attribution. Two experiments support this hypothesis. In Experiment 1, distant (vs. near) future events were attributed to more stable causes. In Experiment 2, actions by a socially distant person (vs. oneself) were also attributed to more stable (but also more internal) causes. Thus, important psychological manipulations, here psychological distance, can influence causal dimensions selectively, supporting the independence of stability and locus of attribution.

Ostracizers’ mark of disgrace: Social exclusion increases the actor–observer difference

“…This suggests that distance is associated with a tendency to attribute outcomes to both more internal and stable characteristics. Importantly, it also strengthens the argument that the actor-observer difference cannot be explained solely by a person-situation dichotomy (Körner et al, 2020;Malle, 2006;Robins et al, 1996). Importantly, while we found stronger effects for locus than stability, our results do not show that locus is more relevant with respect to the actor-observer difference in general.…”

“…Recent research (e.g., Körner et al, 2020;Thompson & O'Sullivan, 2017) went beyond the distinction of internal versus external locus by relying on a broadly used attributional model (Weiner, 1985), pointing out that stability (stable vs. variable) and controllability (controllable vs. uncontrollable) are, in addition to locus, of prime relevance when explaining behaviour. Even further dimensions have been proposed, such as intentionality or specificity, but these go beyond the original meaning of the actor-observer difference and are of less significance in lay theories explaining behaviour (Körner et al, 2020;Weiner, 1985). Following Körner et al (2020), we here focus on locus and stability only.…”

“…Even further dimensions have been proposed, such as intentionality or specificity, but these go beyond the original meaning of the actor-observer difference and are of less significance in lay theories explaining behaviour (Körner et al, 2020;Weiner, 1985). Following Körner et al (2020), we here focus on locus and stability only. To illustrate the concepts, consider explaining someone's failure to help a colleague.…”

“…The amalgamation of stability and locus (i.e., an internal locus generally means high stability; an external locus generally goes along with low stability) was mostly accepted as a fact in the original person-situation dichotomy, although concerns had been voiced by others (e.g., Robins et al, 1996). Yet, Körner et al (2020) emphasize that stability and locus are distinct, do not necessarily go hand in hand, and should therefore be conceptualized and measured separately. Accordingly, although the locus and stability perception may align with a person-based cause, they can also conflict with a clear person-or situation-based cause, depending on the context (e.g., when experiencing a brief emotional burst; see Körner et al, 2020).…”

“…Yet, Körner et al (2020) emphasize that stability and locus are distinct, do not necessarily go hand in hand, and should therefore be conceptualized and measured separately. Accordingly, although the locus and stability perception may align with a person-based cause, they can also conflict with a clear person-or situation-based cause, depending on the context (e.g., when experiencing a brief emotional burst; see Körner et al, 2020). Here we follow recent conceptual developments and differentiate between attributed causes' stability and locus when investigating the actor-observer difference in the context of social exclusion.…”