Teachers' Causal Attributions for Behaviour Problems in Relation to Perceptions of Control

Abstract

The general aim of this study was to examine the relationship between teachers' perceptions of control and their causal attributions for behaviour problems. Elementary teachers (n = 305) were asked to rate each of 12 factors as the possible cause of the behaviour problem described in a vignette and they also completed the Spheres of Control Scale. Teachers seemed to agree that family and pupil-related factors might cause behaviour problems, while they rejected school and organic factors. Overall, teachers seemed to have a high perception of control in three distinct spheres of life, i.e. personal efficacy, interpersonal relationships and sociopolitical behaviour. Nevertheless, only perceived control in the area of interpersonal relationships was found to be significantly correlated with 4 causal attributions. Results are discussed in the framework of in-service training for regular education teachers.