Explaining Helping Behavior in a Cooperative Learning Classroom Setting Using Attribution Theory

This recently completed study examined whether attribution theory can explain helping behavior in an interdependent classroom environment that utilized a cooperative-learning model. The study focused on student participants enrolled in 6 community college communication classes taught by the same instructor. Three levels of cooperative-learning were employed. Survey data were collected from student participants presented with situations describing a group member who was not participating in the cooperative-learning process. Simulated scenarios, as well as “actual” experiences, were included for the purpose of analysis. Participant's emotional and behavioral responses were analyzed using independent–samples t tests, paired-samples t tests, and analysis of variance. Findings indicate that a student's willingness to help was influenced more positively when “uncontrollable” rather than “controllable” causes for nonparticipation were determined. Student in-class response to “actual” experiences differed from those reported in the simulated scenarios. The emotional and behavioral responses of students did not vary by age, gender, ethnicity, or level of cooperative learning employed in the class. Overall findings support attribution theory as a useful conceptual framework for explaining student responses regarding helping behavior in simulated situations. However, research results pose additional questions regarding the application of theory to practice and the implication for educators employing effective cooperative-learning activities in a classroom setting.