Abstract
This paper describes a study which investigated attribution, specifically the proportionality principle, in 185 undergraduate students. Participants were divided into several conditions and completed questionnaires that tested; that the outcome of a scenario was appropriately rated, that the magnitude of the outcome determined the likelihood to which the cause of the event was attributed to predictable or unpredictable causes, and the extent to which personality characteristics (belief in a just world and locus of control) affected behavior in accordance to the proportionality principle. It was hypothesized that the level of the two personality characteristics being tested would have a significant effect on behavior, that the scenarios and magnitudes were designed appropriately, and that the magnitude of the outcome predicted how the participants would explain the event. It was found that the magnitudes of the outcomes supported our hypothesis and were successfully manipulated but that personality characteristics did not have as much of an effect on ratings as was originally proposed. These results were attributed to participants' level of cognitive satisfaction as well as typical human tendencies in logic and reasoning.

From the Paper
"Social psychologists are largely interested in how humans explain the causation of a behavior or an event. Making a judgment on behavior is essentially making a claim as to the causation of the behavior and this is commonly known as making an attribution. Heider (1958), who was the first to officially propose the idea of a person bias, suggested that humans attribute most behavior to personality rather than to situational causes. The person bias, now known as the fundamental attribution error, is both a useful and harmful characteristic of humans; it allows for easy formation of a mental model of an individual's personality to occur. Often, however, during the formation of this model, situational causes are ignored, and negative characteristics are attributed wrongfully to an individual's personality when in fact, the exhibited behavior was more a product of the environmental circumstances. A more recent, and less researched proposal involving attribution is the proportionality principle. This suggests that humans have the tendency to seek explanations for behavior or events that are equal in magnitude to the outcome of the event, even if this is not the most logical explanation. For example, McCauley and Jacques (1979) found that important events with drastic outcomes, such as presidential assassinations are attributed for causes equally as important or drastic."

Tags:attribution, belief, control, just, locus, world

Abstract
The paper discusses Fitz Heider's attribution theory and looks at how Harold Kelley's covariation model and Edward E. Jones' and Keith Davis' correspondent inference theory have advanced this theory. The paper explains how these theorists have extended the attribution theory's scope and increased our understanding of human behavior. The paper further shows how our current understanding of attribution theory enables better decision-making and conflict resolution through increasing our understanding of the self and other people.

Outline:
Introduction
Identifying and Explaining Human Behavior
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Attribution theory was first introduced by Fitz Heider as a method to evaluate how individuals perceive their behavior and that of other people. In The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations (1958), for example, Heider states that human behavior is determined by either internal or external factors, which means that "We tend to attribute the successes of others and our own failures to external factors ... [while also tending] to attribute our own successes and failures of others to internal factors" (12Manage.com, 2008). This concept, furthermore, has remained a fundamental element in current contribution theory. Nevertheless, other researchers have advanced Heider's theory by developing theories models such as Correspondence Inference Theory and the Covariation Model, while researchers, such as Kelley (1967) have identified further elements. These factors, therefore, contribute the most to current understanding of how human beings explain the causes of their own and other people's behavior."

Tags:Heider, causality, self-perception, correspondent, inference, covariation, model

Abstract
The paper examines the contributions of Fritz Heider to attribution theory and discusses how attribution theory relates to nursing and patient care.

From the Paper
"The following presents a discussion of attribution theory and the contributions of Fritz Heider to this theory. How attribution theory relates to nursing and patient care is discussed. This is followed by a summary and conclusions.
"Attribution theory helps to understand causes of human behavior. The word attribution is synonymous for explanation. Attribution theory refers to the manner in which people explain or attribute the behavior of others to something else. This theory allows people to feel control over their lives, their..."

Tags:fritz, heider

Abstract
For fifteen years date rape has been a recognized problem in the United States. Initially, it is defined and its occurrence levels analyzed. Subsequently, attribution theory is examined as a causal factor. Finally, potential programs to reduce date rape based on the attribution theory are introduced.

Abstract
The paper discusses how Kelley's theory further defines the lack of consistency in the polls with maintaining opinions not actually connected with actively registered voters. The paper asserts that in this manner, Kelley's theory defines a social psychological concept that played a major part in how polls gauge the opinions of the American public during the Presidential elections of 2008.

Tags:kelley, theorization, psych

From the Paper
"Introduction
The proposed paper will present a meta-analytic investiga-tion of empirical studies testing Pettigrew's (1979) model of the "ultimate attribution error." In a general framework paper, this report: a) explicates the general attribution model; b) describes the essential concepts associated with the ultimate attribution error; c) provides a brief review of the empirical research testing ultimate attribution error principles and postulates; and d) delineates how meta-analytic techniques will be applied to the exiting literature in the area.


Attribution Theory
As noted by Taylor, Peplau and Sears (1996), in general, attribution refers to the process by which people attempt to infer the cause of events in our world; in other words, attribution theory deals with the..."

Abstract
In this discussion of the prophetic work of Isaiah, the writer maintains that the work speaks to an overlying theme of God as the giver of judgment and salvation. The writer notes that the text provides a full display of God's rebellious people who must be punished and, eventually, redeemed. The writer then points out that a new form of redemption is introduced in the text--a redeemer to be found in a Messianic age. The writer relates that Isaiah's book of prophecy seeks to lay the foundation for revolutionary change. The writer also relates that the basic foundation for the text appears to be its poetry and its readability. Additionally, the writer maintains that the text works as an implement of understanding for God's people, helping them relate the events of their past to the promises of their future.

From the Paper
"Through this new figure, there is no longer a need for sacrifice and man-made emblems. In this instance, it is possible to infer that the prophecy does not point to God, but to a Messianic figure. Of course, the problem still remains whether or not this new figure could question the monotheistic institution within the Israelite nation. If Isaiah is referring to a new divine figure, it this character a byproduct of Yahweh, or is it a fresh and equal cohort? Why does Isaiah use this new title as opposed to formal and informal names used by his predecessors? Perhaps Isaiah's purpose rests in unsettling the one-god issue. The unique characterization of the divine figures in the text only emphasizes the unique quality of the text itself. If monotheism is challenged, then it is done so to provide a considerable awareness of the change that is to come.
"Often, Isaiah uses personification to poetically explain his prophecy. This literary device creates a metaphoric system that seems to implement the clarity of the text."

Tags:redemption, Lord, prophecy, righteousness

Abstract
Beginning with a brief outline of the challenges of composition authorship, this paper continues on with how music is seen and labeled by genre. Largely focused on classical music, this paper expands out to discuss how women and their compositions in the 18th century were shielded or disguised as the work of someone else. Includes figures demonstrating how computers define authorship of music. Overall, it shows the challenges of authorship in the past and present, and how it has changed or remained the same.

Outline:
Introduction
I. Challenges of Attribution and Authorship of Musical Compositions
II. Kranenburg - Attribution by Qualifying Compositional Strategies
III. Temporary Concealment of Authorship of Musical Composition in Late 18th Century
IV. Composer Identification Based on Typical Pattern Detection
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"It is clear that labels do carry with them meaning that is and should well be applied in listening to musical composition for to fail to integrate the historical information and the time period information as well as the composer with the listening experience will leave the listener a little short of the pure enjoyment of the music for what it is as written in the time of the composer who composed the musical work. This study has shown that the accuracy of the human listener is not adequate although the human listener appears to be correct more than half of the time."

Tags:music, composition, authorship, art

From the Paper
"Introduction
In this case, a decision made by upper management becomes a subject for speculation by Jim, who has been passed over for promotion in favor of a new man in the department. Frank has been in the department for only a year, while Jim has been in the department for over five years. Two other members of the group, Maria and Janet, have been in the department for more than five years as well. Jim is concerned that he was not chosen, of course, and this leads him to ask why he has not been selected and why Frank has been selected. In analyzing the issue, Jim does so without having sufficient information. It is evident from this case that upper management has not done a good job of communicating its reasons for making a selection. It is also apparent that upper management does not provide sufficient..."

Abstract
The paper observes the characteristics of adolescents and how their cognitions and behaviors contribute to their peer group formation and social development. These observations support the group formation concepts of social psychology. The paper bases its findings on five studies that look at the process of socialization in youth and have identified techniques and patterns utilized.

From the Paper
"Social psychology by definition is the study of groups, and group formation is never more obvious or influential than in the stages of adolescence. Adolescents employ a variety of techniques, including self-serving bias and attributions, in the formation of their peer groups and in their socialization. While research directly examining these particular techniques in adolescence is somewhat rare, many researchers have studied general ways in which youth socialize. Five articles related to this topic have been reviewed, each dealing with characteristics of adolescents and how their cognitions and behaviors contribute to their peer group formation and social development."

Tags:adolescents, social, development, group, formation, concepts, social, psychology, peer, socialization