Dysfunctional attributions of success as a distinct feature of amotivation

TL;DR

This study explores how people with amotivation attribute their successes to external factors, suggesting this pattern could be a key feature of amotivation.

Contribution

The study identifies dysfunctional attributions of success as a novel feature of amotivation, distinct from failure attributions.

Findings

Amotivation is significantly associated with attributing success to external, variable, and specific causes.

No significant associations were found between amotivation and failure attributions.

Dysfunctional success attributions may be a promising target for intervention in amotivation.

Abstract

We examined the association between causal attributions and self-reported motivational negative symptoms (amotivation) in a German online community sample (n = 251). Bivariate correlations revealed significant associations between amotivation and attribution of success to external, variable, and specific causes. No associations between amotivation and failure attributions were found. Our data suggest that demotivational causal attributions of success could be a feature of amotivation and a promising target for research and intervention.