Attribution theory

The book opens with a look back at how attribution theory developed, which provides the background for the rest of the volume. The later chapters apply the theory to three broad areas. The first is achievement striving, in both the classroom and sports. The second is mental health, including research on stress and coping and on how people interpret psychotherapy. The third is interpersonal and organizational conflict, such as disputes between buyers and sellers, strain in marriages, tension at work, and conflict between nations.

The chapters lean toward research more than practical application, so the volume is aimed mainly at applied psychologists.