Date of Award
4-1999
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Joseph R. Morris
Second Advisor
Dr. Edward L. Trembley
Third Advisor
Dr. Robert Wait
Abstract
Previous research into achievement attributions failed to demonstrate consistent main effects for sex or interaction effects between sex and situational or task variables. The ambiguity of these findings suggests that intervening variables other than sex may be influencing differences in attributions. Based on evidence derived from the theoretical and research literature related to psychological well-being and the reformulated learned helplessness model of depression, self-efficacy, selfesteem, and sex role identity have the potential to influence attributions made in different types of success and failure situations. The purpose of this study was to expand on achievement attribution research by investigating the relationship between individual differences in attributional styles for success and failure and sex, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and sex role identity.
A sample of 163 undergraduate students at a large midwestem university completed a test packet containing the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ), the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), the Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). Their responses were analyzed using multiple correlation and regression analyses, hierarchical regression analyses, and path analyses. Results from the correlation and regression analyses indicated that masculinity played a key role in attributional style differences for success and failure situations and self-efficacy and self-esteem played a differential role in male and female attributional styles for success and failure. In addition, better prediction occurred for attributional styles for success than attributional styles for failure. The results from the path analyses farther indicated that the direct effect of masculinity on male attributional styles for success was greater than the direct effect of masculinity on female attributional styles for success. Also, the direct effect of self-efficacy on m ale attributional styles for failure was greater than the direct effect of self-efficacy on female attributional styles for failure. The implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations for future research are made.
Access Setting
Dissertation-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Hirschy, Angela J., "Individual Differences in Attributional Style: The Mediating Influence of Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, and Sex Role Identity" (1999). Dissertations. 1508.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/1508