The Causal Attributions and Self-Handicapping Strategies of Pedagogy Students

Abstract Self-regulation of learning is the process by which a student monitors and guides his own learning. Therefore, taking into account its great importance for the quality of learning, the present study aims to investigating two variables related to self-regulation: causal attributions and use of self-handicapping strategies. The sample consisted of 164 participants, of both sexes, with age range varying from 18 to 48 years old, enrolled in the second and fourth year of Pedagogy at Brazilian public universities. Data collection was carried out by means of two self-reported Likert scales. Results indicated that students who attribute failure to internal causes and success to external ones were those who reported using self-handicapping strategies more frequently. Data is discussed in terms of the need of analyzing the college student´s attributional beliefs and their strategic behavior in learning situations.