The Effect of the Stability of Attributions On Future Expectations
The nature of expectancy shifts and the effect of past performance on future expectations have been investigated from several perspectives. Rotter (1966) suggested that changes in expectancy were a function of whether the person perceived internal or external control over the situation. As predicted, greater changes of expectations in the direction of past performance have been found in tasks perceived to be dependent upon skill than in those perceived to be dependent upon luck (Phares, 1957; Rotter, Liverant & Crowne, 1961). An alternative explanation, based upon two dimensional representation of the perceived determinants of achievement outcomes, has been suggested by Weiner, et al. (1971). According to this system the results of an achievement behavior can be attributed either internally or externally (locus of control) and either stable or unstable (stability). Ability is seen as internal and stable, effort as internal and unstable, task difficulty as external and stable, and luck as external and unstable.