Pamela's sales have been slipping for the last four quarters, but this has not adversely affected her performance ratings. As her boss, Paul, observes, "Things are tough all over, and especially in that northeastern territory where she's working. I do not think anybody else could have done any better, given the same situation." This indicates ________ attribution.
A) high distinctiveness resulting in an internal
B) high consensus resulting in an external
C) low consensus resulting in an external
D) high consensus resulting in an internal
E) low consensus resulting in an internal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Consensus, one of three dimensions whereby decision makers attribute cause, refers to whether others acted the same way under similar situations. In this case, Paul's observation that nobody else could have done better in the same situation indicates high consensus. As a result, he attributes Pamela's poor sales to external factors-economic conditions nationwide, particularly in her sales territory-rather than to any internal factors such as Pamela's ability, motivation, or attitudes.

Pamela's Sales Have Been Slipping for the Last Four Quarters