Final answer:
In attribution theory, controllable causes of behavior are those that can be altered through personal effort and decision making. This aspect of control is crucial for discerning whether outcomes are due to deliberate strategies or external factors beyond one's control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Controllable causes of behavior in attribution theory are those that can be changed at will. These are circumstances or factors that we have the power to control or adjust. Attribution theory explores how we explain the actions of ourselves and others. When it comes to controllable causes, these are the conditions or elements we can manipulate to alter outcomes.
For instance, consider explaining a sports team's victory or defeat. We often attribute a victory to factors such as the team's talent (internal), their consistent hard work (stable), and their use of effective strategies (controllable). Conversely, a defeat might be attributed to the prowess of the opposing team (external), playing on the opposing team's home ground (unstable), or bad weather affecting performance (uncontrollable).
Understanding controllability in this context is central to discerning whether the outcomes are a result of personal effort and strategy or due to factors beyond an individual's control. Attribution theory helps in parsing out these distinctions and is fundamental to fields such as psychology and organizational behavior.