Since the early 1970's numerous researchers have been questioning the existence of sex differences in causal attribution. From those who claim differences exist, three models have been proposed: the general externality model, the female self-derogation model, and the female low expectancy model. This study proposed that two variables, sex role and task investment, might mediate the relationship between sex and causal attribution. A structural equation model was proposed and analyzed using LISREL VII (Joreskog & Sorbom, 1989).For this study, 208 undergraduate psychology students were asked to complete the following: a demographic sheet, the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (Spence, Helmreich, & Stapp, 1975), a task investment measure created for this study, a short performance task (10 mathematics or anagram problems), and the Causal Dimension Scale (Russell, 1982).Results did not support the proposed overall model; however, some findings were significant. First, women were more likely to make unstable attributions for success than were men, consistent with the female low expectancy model, but the difference was very small. Also, in the failure condition, masculinity was negatively correlated with stability.Second, women reported being more invested in the tasks and said they had more experience at these tasks than did the men. Additionally, femininity was positively correlated with task investment, contrary to predictions. Finally, outcome was correlated with all three causal attribution dimensions. The perception of success was positively correlated with higher internal, stable, and controllable attributions, suggesting a type of self-enhancement bias for both sexes. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/175942 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Duffey, Kim A. |
| Contributors | White, Michael J. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 102 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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