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Internality, academic status and intergroup attributions

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Abstract

Some pupils categorized as good vs. bad pupils were given a questionnaire of attributions, thus allowing the calculation of internality scores. They were also requested to answer as would a good (vs. a bad) pupil do. Finally, they also had to predict in which way a good (vs. a bad) pupil would answer on their behalf. The results were explained within the frame of two different theoretical fields: the theory of the norm of internality and the biases in terms of intergroup attributions. These results show that 1) the attribution of internal explanations relates to an attribution of value that takes place within the intergroup evaluation, 2) whereas the ultimate attribution error can clearly be observed among the good pupils, the bad pupils exhibit an attributive pattern that is favorable to the good pupils.

Résumé

Des élèves caractérisés sur la base de leur dossier comme “bons” ou “mauvais” passaient un questionnaire d’attributions permettant le calcul de scores d’internalité. Ils devaient également répondre comme le ferait un bon (ou un mauvais) élève. Ils devaient enfin prédire la façon dont un bon (ou un mauvais) élève répondrait à leur place. Les résultats ont été interprétés dans le cadre de deux champs théoriques différents: celui de la théorie de la norme d’internalité et celui des biais dans les attributions intergroupes. Les résultats montrent, 1) que l’attribution d’explications internes correspond à une attribution de valeur intervenant dans les évaluations intergroupes (norme d’internalité), 2) que si l’erreur ultime d’attribution est observée chez les bons élèves, les mauvais élèves exhibent un pattern attributif favorable aux bons élèves.

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Dubois, N., Beauvois, J.L. Internality, academic status and intergroup attributions. Eur J Psychol Educ 11, 329–341 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03172944

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