Age as a Variable in Achievement Attributions: The Weiner Model and Beyond

Abstract

This review examines the recent research on the Weiner model of attribution as applied to aging and suggests some future directions for gerontological investigation of attribution theory. On the basis of the limited amount of research done to date, it appears that for older stimulus persons ascription to chronological age mediates attributions for failures and that attributions of achievements are highly task specific. There is some suggestive evidence that age as an attribution is related to ability attribution, but this also seems task specific. Suggestions for future research include clarifying where chronological age fits among the four Weiner sources, varying tasks to include intellectual and practical-experiential skills, varying gender of the stimulus person and of the respondents, and examining self-attributions by older persons.