Attribution Theories

    This week, the topic of discussion is attribution theories, and the impact they have on our emotions, and subsequently our motivation. There are many different component to attribution theories, but I will be focusing on Weiner's three main causal-dimensions of attributions, as well as Weiner's four major achievement attributions. 

    Attributions are used as a tool to explain our own, and others behaviors. They can be particularly helpful in deciphering what caused an event or a particular behavior to occur. Two causal attributions include fundamental attribution error and self-serving bias. Fundamental attribution error refers to how individuals generally attribute others' errors to internal causes, but on the other hand, attribute personal errors to external causes. Additionally, those with self-serving bias tend to give themselves credit for positive outcomes, but blame others when the outcome is not what they want. In Weiner's theory, he describes attributions as being made as a person attempts to determine the cause of an event, which then produces emotions related to the perceived cause. 

    

    As I mentioned earlier, there are three main causal-dimensions of attributions: locus of control, controllability, and stability. Locus of control refers to where one places the blame/cause for a particular event; the cause is either internal or external. Controllability and stability are pretty simple, events are either uncontrollable or controllable, and they have high stability or low stability. Additionally, there are four main achievement attributions: ability (intelligence), effort, task difficulty, and luck. Ability is typically internal, uncontrollable, and highly stable. Effort is generally internal, controllable, and usually unstable. Task difficulty is often external, as well as luck which is also uncontrollable and unstable. To summarize, attributions combined with specific causal dimensions and emotions determine subsequent motivations/action. This not only impacts their expectations for success, but also their perceived self-efficacy. 

    Now that we have general foundation of attributions and the impact they have on motivation and emotions, we can look at how they present themselves in Lady Bird. We will use Lady Bird's mother's (Marion) behavior as an example, as she plays a large role in Lady Bird's motivation. As I've mentioned in previous posts, Marion is not the most inspirational person in Lady Bird's life. She constantly tells Lady Bird how she believes she is not competent enough to leave Sacramento and achieve her dream of moving to New York. This doesn't discourage Lady Bird, but rather, pushes her even more to achieve her dreams, and prove her mom wrong. 

    

    Lady Bird attributes her mother's behavior to Marion simply not liking Lady Bird. An example of this is a scene where Marion and Lady Bird are shopping for Lady Bird's prom dress and Lady Bird asks if her mother likes her. Marion says that she of course loves her daughter, which was not the question as Lady Bird then points out. Marion says she wants Lady Bird to be the best version of herself, to which Lady Bird asks what if this was the best version. Marion is left speechless and the conversation ends. This is one example throughout many in the movie where Lady Bird and Marion experience a disconnect. 

    Lady Bird adopts the belief that her mother truly does not like who she is as a person, and attributes Marion's behavior to this reason. The patterns of this attribution has a large impact on Lady Bird's long-term motivations and emotions. Lady Bird generally maintains an internal locus of control throughout the movie. She believes she is in control of her future despite what her mother and her teachers thinks. Despite people in her life telling her she is not competent enough to move to New York, she does not let this affect her motivation. Lady Bird's goal is also largely controllable, as she is in charge of her future and gaining the skills to meet that goal. Additionally, Lady Bird's attribution has high stability, as the controllability is generally stable. No one else is applying to college for her, so that aspect does not change. As a result of the combination of these aspects, Lady Bird's motivation remains pretty consistent throughout the whole movie. Aside from minor moments where she experiences typical adolescent events like her first heartbreak, she remains confident in the fact that she will graduate and leave Sacramento.