The perceived causal structure of examination failure

The application of network analysis to the modelling of ordinary perceptions of causality was tested, using the explanations of examination failure reported in Stern & Weiner (1984). Subjects judged the causal interconnections among the set of causes. A network analysis was performed to identify the causal model underlying these judgements. The properties of the network were found to be similar to those predicted by Kelley (1983). Three types of causal role were identified (distal, mediating and proximal). The relationship between causal role in the network and locus, stability and controllability was examined.