Intercultural Communication Final Project: Attribution Theory Report

This report delves into the attribution theory of human communication, examining its core principles and practical applications. It begins by defining the theory and explaining its significance in understanding how individuals interpret and explain events, behaviors, and outcomes. The report then explores the theory's origins, tracing its development by Fritz Heider and Harold Kelley, and identifies the primary works of these theorists. Key weaknesses of the theory are discussed, including its mechanistic approach and limitations in addressing cultural and social influences. A real-world example is provided to illustrate the application of attribution theory, followed by an explanation of why this example is appropriate. The report concludes by highlighting the theory's relevance in various fields, such as psychology, ethics, and decision-making. The report includes discussion questions and references, adhering to APA format.

Human
communication
Attribution theory

Theory that pertains to Human
Communication and reason for selection
• Attribution theory of human
communication.
• It is an important theory because it deals
with the concept that people make
sense of the surroundings

Theory that pertains to Human
Communication and reason for
selection • Attribution theory depends upon
what people understand to the cause
of the effect of the phenomenon.
• This theory suggests that the
individuals observe their own
experience or behaviour try to
understand the reasons behind them
(Pekrun & Marsh, 2018).
• Thus they determine whether the
shape their future behaviour similarly.

Explanation of attribution
theory • The attribution theory is a study that comes
under the human and social psychology.
• Attribution theory explains why and how the
people can explain the things around them.
• The persons interpret on the situation that
how their action can cause attribute to one’s
behaviour (Hillebrandt & Barclay, 2017).
• According to the theory most of the
attributions of human being are driven by
emotional as well as motivational impulses.

Explanation of attribution
theory
• The attribution theory mainly focuses on the human features that they try to explain every
incidents taking place around them.
• The research by psychologists have revealed that most people are biased in their own
opinion and judgement about what or who is responsible for the matter and try to
establish those thoughts at their best (Dweck, 2018).

Who developed the theory and
why?
• The theory was developed by Fritz Heider developed this theory
which was later advanced by Harold Kelley.
• This theory was developed to understand the human feature of
assigning causes to the actions as well as behaviour.

Where are the theorist’s
primary works located?
• The primary works of this theorist is located in the sociology mainly
the social psychology.
• This theorist had first mentioned and developed this theory from his
book “The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations”.

Identify the critical weaknesses
• Attribution theory mainly
relates to the mechanistic as
well as reductionist
understanding of the human
communication it assumes
people to be rational,
systematic thinking and logical
(Scherer, 2018).
• The theory also fails to address
cultural, social and historical
aspects which actually shapes
the attributions of causes.

Apply the theory to a situation
• For example, Jim gets the highest mark in the exam. This makes him
belief that it is the result of his hard work and ability.
• On the contrary Sunny scored low marks for which he may put the
responsibility on the ability of the person who checked his answer sheet.

Explain why this is an appropriate
application of the theory
• This example is appropriate
because this refers to the internal
factors in the case of Jim who
thinks his success is his reward for
hard work.
• In case of Sunny it is the external
factors that he thinks is related to
his failure.

Conclusion
• Therefore it can be concluded that the attribution theory of human communication
helps the employees or the customers to understand the factors of communication.
• This theory is applied in psychology of ethics, criminal law, decision making and
understanding of the cognitive biases.

Discussion questions
• 1. How attribution can relates to human communication?
• 2. Is there any particular measures taken in terms of behaviour for
effective communication?
• 3. How attribution theory helps human resource to develop itself?

References:
• Dweck, C. S. (2018). Reflections on the legacy of attribution
theory.
• Hillebrandt, A., & Barclay, L. J. (2017). Comparing integral and
incidental emotions: Testing insights from emotions as social
information theory and attribution theory. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 102(5), 732.
• Pekrun, R., & Marsh, H. W. (2018). Weiner’s attribution theory:
Indispensable—but is it immune to crisis?.
• Scherer, K. R. (2018). Attribution theory: A lively legacy.

Thank you