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The Resigned, the Confident, and the Humble: A Typology of Computer-Related Attribution Styles

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Human Factors in Computing and Informatics (SouthCHI 2013)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 7946))

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Abstract

Attribution, i.e. the systematic ascription of causes and effects in situations of failure or success, has so far received little attention in HCI research. In this paper we investigate specific computer-related attribution styles by means of a diary study and an online survey. By using cluster analysis we developed a typology of nine distinct attribution styles that come into effect in success or failure situations when using computers. Also, we were able to distinguish attribution styles that can be assumed to be favorable or unfavorable regarding computer mastery. Methodical issues in computer-related attribution research and implications for research and practice are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Luebeck University of Applied Sciences, Luebeck, Germany

    Monique Janneck

  2. University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Sascha R. Guczka

Authors
  1. Monique Janneck
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  2. Sascha R. Guczka
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation (IMI), Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Andreas Holzinger

  2. Human-Computer Interaction Center, RWTH Aachen University, Theaterplatz 14, 52056, Aachen, Germany

    Martina Ziefle

  3. Institute of Informatics Systems, Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt, Universitätsstrasse 65-67, 9020, Klagenfurt, Austria

    Martin Hitz

  4. Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Matjaž Debevc

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Janneck, M., Guczka, S.R. (2013). The Resigned, the Confident, and the Humble: A Typology of Computer-Related Attribution Styles. In: Holzinger, A., Ziefle, M., Hitz, M., Debevc, M. (eds) Human Factors in Computing and Informatics. SouthCHI 2013. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 7946. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39062-3_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39062-3_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-39061-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-39062-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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