American university students' beliefs about success in science: A case study

Attribution theory as a new perspective for studying the psychology of science & scientists was tested by means of a study in which U of Pittsburgh students (N = 50 Ms, 50 Fs) responded to questionnaires regarding their views on reasons for success & failure in science. The attributional perspective incorporates views on one's own competence with beliefs about the importance of effort for success in science, & provides a framework for analyzing differences in attitudes about various fields of science. Sex differences in science participation constitute a further area that can be analyzed from an attributional perspective. Implications of these findings are discussed along with suggestions for future research. 4 Tables. Modified AA.