Heider: O protótipo das origens...do estudo da atribuição

Abstract

This paper intends to provide a brief commentary to the pioneering work of Fritz Heider in field of causal attribution (Heider, 1944). This commentary begins discussing the present applicability of Heider’s work, using two parameters: causal selection criteria and connections between attributional processes and basic psychological ones. The author contrasted the criteria of «similarity» - Heider’s original criterion – and the one of «covariation». The author criticized the viability of each criterion, when taken separately, and argued in favour of the integration of both in a more encompassing theoretical perspective, namely the «Knowledge Structures» framework. The author presented this integration as a «return» to Heider.