Attribution therapy: Effects of locus of control and timing of treatment

The reduction of debilitating self-blame following negative events through the use of attribution therapy was investigated. Ss were 112 undergraduates, who first completed the Personal Orientation Scale, a measure of locus of control. After receiving harsh personal criticism from a peer, Ss were given information that suggested this negative event was caused by an external factor. Results indicated that the effectiveness of attribution therapy depended on when the intervention occurred and the locus of control orientation of the S. In general, externals' ratings of self-evaluation were not influenced by the intervention, but internals evidenced greater self-acceptance when the intervention occurred prior to the negative evaluation or was postponed. It is concluded that attribution therapy is most effective when the attributional information is made salient to the individual. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.

Duke Scholars

Author Mark R. Leary Psychology & Neuroscience