Upon discovering that she has lung cancer, Mary blames the illness on her low intelligence and her general lack of willpower, both of which she thinks prevented her from quitting smoking. The blame she assigns herself is ____________, and it is likely to ____________ her sense of future control.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary is attributing her lung cancer to internal, stable aspects of her character (low intelligence, lack of willpower), which is a characterological attribution. This type of self-blame is likely to decrease her sense of future control because it suggests she cannot change these aspects of herself.

Upon Discovering That She Has Lung Cancer, Mary Blames the Illness