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Attributions in the Advice Columns

II. The Dimensionality of Actors' and Observers' Explanations for Interpersonal Problems

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Thomas J. Schoeneman

Lewis and Clark College

Daniel E. Rubanowitz

Napa State Hospital

This study assessed the attributional dimensionality of explanations, largely for interpersonal problems, that occur naturally in the newspaper advice columns. We applied two definitions of controllability, along with stability, locus, and actor observer ratings, to 145 attributions extracted from the "Ann Landers" and "Dear Abby" columns by Schoeneman and Rubanowitz (1985). Controllability by subject (the person whose behavior is being explained) was confounded with locus, although controllability by anyone was independent of locus. Actors attributed their own problems to the enduring, willful behaviors of others (external, stable, controllable attributions). Observers did not attribute actors' problems to uncontrollable personality; they showed no attributional tendencies except a preference for stable attributions. We discuss the convergence of actor-observer effects with current research on interpersonal attributions and implications for future ratings of controllability.

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