Should we really be afraid of "weakness"? Applying the insights of attribution theory.

Abdulla, Adam

Abstract

It is widely assumed that the term "weakness" has negative psychological effects and should be replaced by "area for improvement." The present study is the first to examine the matter experimentally. It was hypothesised that effects of the "weakness" (vs. "area for improvement") are most pronounced in those with low perceived self-efficacy in the relevant domain. Two experiments were conducted in the domain of self-regulation. In those with low perceived self-efficacy for self-regulation (PSESR), "weakness" apparently had a negative indirect effect on improvement expectancy by increasing the perceived stability (Experiment 1) or lowering the perceived controllability (Experiment 2) of the problem. Moreover, at low levels of PSESR in Experiment 2, estimated indirect effects of "weakness" on perceived value of improvement were both positive and negative. However, gender apparently moderated those effects. "Weakness" apparently lowered perceived controllability in both males and females but in women the negative effect was more pronounced when PSESR was low. In addition, "weakness" apparently increased perceived internality in males with low PSESR. Compared to "area for improvement," "weakness" may indeed have some (negative) psychological effects in people with low perceived self-efficacy in the relevant domain. Given the ubiquity of these terms in evaluative contexts and the widespread fears of the term "weakness", more experimental research needs to be conducted.

Citation

ABDULLA, A. 2024. Should we really be afraid of "weakness"? Applying the insights of attribution theory. Psychological reports [online], Online First. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294124123121

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 27, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2024
• Journal: Psychological reports
• Print ISSN: 0033-2941
• Electronic ISSN: 1558-691X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241231210
• Keywords: Weakness; Area for improvement; Expectancy; Perceived self-efficacy; attribution theory; Stability; Controllability; Internality
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2218060