ATTRIBUTION THEORY CONCEPTS AND OUTPATIENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE CAUSAL LOCUS OF THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.

The article presents a research concerning the attribution theory concepts and outpatients' perceptions of the causal locus of their psychological problems in the U.S. The focus of this study was on variables deduced from the attribution theory related to the locus of casual attribution of behavior. The subjects of the study were adult outpatients seen for initial interviews during a 6-week period in community mental health facility. The results of the study suggested that problems perceived as caused by internal factors inclined to be comprehended as more severe and of longer duration. It was found out that the cause of difficulty was perceived more internal as the severity of the problem was increased.