The main and interactive effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self‐efficacy

In this study, we examined the effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self‐efficacy. At Time 1 (Day 1), 117 participants (mean age 25.8 years, s=8. 5) completed a measure of attributions after performance (immediate attributions). At Time 2 (Day 4), the participants completed the same measure of attributions (reflective attributions). At Time 3 (Day 7, 8 or 9), they completed a measure of self‐efficacy relating to an up‐coming performance. Immediately after more successful performances, global attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy; upon reflection, stable, global, and/or personal attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy. Immediately after and upon reflection of less successful performances, controllable attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy; an interaction for controllability and stability demonstrated that when causes are perceived as likely to recur, greater controllability is associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy. Results suggest that following more successful performances, analysis of reflective assessments of attributions may help to further understanding of the relationships between attributions and outcomes such as self‐efficacy. This study serves as a stimulus for future research to examine relationships between attributions assessed across time and outcomes such as self‐efficacy, as well as to examine interactions among attribution dimensions.