Attribution

Main Discussion: Attribution

When students do not perform well on a test, they typically explain the results in one of two ways. The first is stating that they did not study hard enough, an explanation that indicates an internal locus of control. Individuals with internal locus of control explain events based on causes they can control. If they study harder for the next test, they can expect to do better.

The second way is to view the test as unfair—that the teacher did not allow enough time or the test information was not covered in class. This explanation indicates an external locus of control. Individuals with external locus of control are more apt to view events in terms of factors they cannot control. If the test is not fair, the student cannot change anything to get a better score. They can only hope the next test will be fair.

You may already have a sense of whether you respond more often from an internal or external locus of control. For this Discussion, you will determine, or confirm, your own locus of control. Then you will apply your insights in analyzing a common workplace situation with two quite different employees.

To prepare:

· Review Chapter 10 of the course text, focusing on attribution, and the Chapter 11 section on locus of control.

· Complete the locus of control assessment in the Week 5 Learning Resources. It should take approximately 10–15 minutes. You may want to print out the web page of your snapshot results.

· Reflect on insights you have gained about yourself and how to apply that knowledge toward understanding others.

· Review the media piece Workplace Attribution in your Week 5 Learning Resources. Think about differences in the two employees and consider how knowledge of attributional styles and locus of control may be applied in a workplace environment.

· Consider the relationship between culture and attributional style. Select a culture that you do not know well and research in the Walden Library or other scholarly sources for the culture’s attributional style and expectations of workers. Imagine the video scene taking place in that cultural setting. Be prepared to present your ideas in your Discussion post.

By Day 3

Post: a response in which you do the following:

· Explain the attribution each employee makes regarding job performance and what you can infer about the employee’s locus of control.

· Describe how this scenario would look in a different cultural setting. Use the particular culture that you researched as your example, and explain how the attributions involved might be similar or different.

Note: Be sure to support the responses within your initial Discussion post (and in your colleague reply) with information obtained from the assigned Learning Resources, including a reference list for sources used. For information regarding how your Discussion will be evaluated, please review the grading rubric located in the Course Information area of the course.

By Day 5

Respond by agreeing or disagreeing with at least oneof your colleagues, responding in one or more of the following ways:

· Ask a probing question and provide insight into how you would answer your question and why.

· Ask a probing question and provide the foundation, or rationale, for the question.

· Expand on your colleague’s posting by offering a new perspective or insight

· Agree with a colleague and offer additional (new) supporting information for consideration.

· Disagree with a colleague by respectfully discussing and supporting a different perspective.

Support your reply to a colleague’s post with at least one reference (textbook or other scholarly, empirical resources). You may state your opinion and/or provide personal examples; however, you must also back up your assertions with evidence (including in-text citations) from the source and provide a reference.

Important Note: For all Main Discussions in this course, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleague’s postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!