Self-Serving Attributions for Individual and Group Performance

Abstract

This study compares the self-serving attributions made by individuals acting alone with those acting in groups. Attributions for group performance to causal factors other than self and environment are also explored. 549 statements by professional athletes were coded for their attributional content. Lone performers made more self-serving attributions than team performers. Also, as player actions became more interdependent, players made fewer self-attributions and more group-internal attributions for successful outcomes. Level of player interdependence did not affect failure attributions. Implications of these data are discussed.