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The Development of an Attribution-Based Theory of Motivation: A History of Ideas
Abstract
The history of ideas guiding the development of an attribution-based theory of motivation is presented. These influences include the search for a “grand” theory of motivation (from drive and expectancy/value theory), an attempt to represent how the past may influence the present and the future (as Thorndike accomplished), and the incorporation of causes and their properties (from Heider and Rotter). The goal of this approach is the formulation of a conception in which causes influence action via the mediating mechanisms of specific affects (as first suggested by Atkinson) and expectancy. The empirical and conceptual contributions of the theory are summarized.
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“How individuals attribute causes of a problem has behavioral consequences (Weiner, 2010) in terms of possible improvement actions based on data.”
From Data teams for school improvement (2016) · cites this paper as Weiner, 2010
In the citing paper
“Perceived achievement is also subject to interpretative, comparison, and attributional processes (described in attribution theories, Graham, 2020;Weiner, 2010).”
From Motivation-Achievement Cycles in Learning: a Literature Review and Research Agenda (2022) · cites this paper as Weiner, 2010
Citations
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An attributional theory of achievement motivation and emotion
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Self-citationAn Attributional Theory of Motivation and Emotion
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Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Thorndike E. L., 1911, Animal intelligence
- Weiner B., 1992, Human motivation: Metaphors, theory, and research
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Metadata
- Authors
- WEINER, B.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- WEINER, BERNARD
- Venue
- Educational Psychologist
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-01-21
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 28-36
- ISSN
- 0046-1520 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-6985
- OpenAlex
- W2096775845
- Cited by
- 868
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 57 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 149 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 64 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 31.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Educational Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Psychological Association
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- attribution theory, motivation theories, history of motivation theory, expectancy-value theory, drive theory, Thorndike, Heider, Rotter, Atkinson, expectancy
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