Lesson 6 10/21/17 Attributional Tendencies in Cultures

Internal Attributions: You believe it is your fault.
External Attribution: It's someone else's fault.

Internal Success: When we are successful, we believe it is through our hard work. Generally, there is a self-esteem boost associated with internal success. We are able to help ourselves and become successful.

External Success: Any success is a group effort. Many people have taught you, helped you, and provided the way for you to be successful. Although we have worked hard, we could not have done it alone.

Internal Failure: This failure is 100% my fault. If I were stronger or smarter or more careful, this would not have happened.

External Failure: Many things contributed to this failure, some preventable and some not. We all suffer from this loss, but can work together to overcome.

Finding a Balance: Being one of either extreme can be harmful to our personal growth. If we are always finding others to blame for our failures, we are not able to recognize and change what we are doing in order to make ourselves better. However, if we take the blame for all of our failures, we can become depressed or have low self-esteem.

This is the same with success. If we do not recognize the help of others, and attribute all of the success to ourselves, we are not able to recognize and fully appreciate those around us. However, if we do not take any credit for our successes, we are not able to gain the confidence that comes from being successful in something.

Teacher's Note: Be cautious of different attribution tendencies in your classrooms. When students fail, remind them that it is not all their fault, or that they do need to take on some more responsibility for their learning. And when they are successful, help them to recognize what they have accomplished, as well as recognize the help they have been given.