Attributions and Actions: A Note of Caution

Abstract

A brief overview of attribution theory shows that current research is switching from a focus on the causes of attributions to their consequences. One important consequence of attributions about other people's behavior is the behavior illustrated towards that other person. A review of a variety of research areas shows that attributions about the causes of another person's behavior are only moderately good predictors of behavior. A particular area is reviewed in some detail showing the effects of a leader's attributions about a subordinate's behavior on the leader's actions towards that subordinate. A number of social, task and situational factors seem to be as important in predicting this behavior as attributions. The implications for further attributional research are discussed.