Mary fails a calculus exam. Although other students who failed the same exam complain that the exam was too hard and the professor has a reputation for tough grading, Mary is convinced that she failed because she is incapable of understanding the material. How might we characterize Mary's attribution style?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary's attribution style is internal, as she believes that her failure on the exam is due to her own lack of understanding rather than external factors such as a tough exam or strict grading. It is not necessarily global, stable, or primary, as we do not have sufficient information to determine if Mary believes this failure applies to all areas of her life, will persist over time, or is her most salient explanation for negative events.

Mary Fails a Calculus Exam