Attributions

 The pattern of attributions can be explained through three causal dimensions, including the locus (internal/external), stability, and controllability, each of which describes how one interprets the causes of success and failure. The locus of causality refers to whether the cause of an outcome is a component of something within the person (internal) or outside the person (external). Next, stability (stable or unstable) describes if one perceives the cause as consistent over time or subject to change. Lastly, controllability (controllable or uncontrollable) concerns whether one believes they have the ability to influence or change the cause. Each of these can be applied to Meredith Grey in seasons one through five. 

Meredith has experienced both internal and external loci throughout seasons one through five, but they are most prominent during seasons two and three. An example of her having an internal locus is from season three, when her mom becomes severely ill and she begins to blame herself for not being ‘enough’ as a daughter. This causes her to feel guilt, shame, and anxiety because she believes this is her own fault. At the same time, she is driven for self-improvement, even though it comes at a high emotional cost. One of the external attributions Meredith has is throughout seasons two and three, when she sees her childhood trauma as the reason for her being ‘broken.’ She starts to put the blame for her having difficulty forming relationships on her mother’s emotional coldness and her father’s absence. This causes Meredith to feel resentful and defensive, while simultaneously feeling like she needs to protect herself. With these feelings from the external locus, there is less of an emotional effect on her since she can say ‘it’s not my fault’, but she becomes more passive and waits for others to change, and does not act herself to make things better. Both the internal and external loci Meredith experiences have an effect on her motivation, sometimes driving her to work and make herself better, and other times having the opposite effect. 

Regarding stability, Meredith shows stable attributions in seasons one and two and unstable attributions in seasons four and five. In the first two seasons, she sees her flaws as enduring and unchangeable. Meredith labels herself as ‘dark and twisty’ to describe how she consistently experiences bad events and has dark thoughts, not happy or positive thoughts. Once again, this is rooted in her belief that her emotional instability is genetic and/or because of her upbringing, and because of the thought that is permanent, she feels hopeless and avoids changing. This causes Meredith’s motivation to decrease because her emotions and trauma deepen her belief that no matter what she does or how hard she tries, nothing will change. Next, she has unstable attributions in seasons four and five as she begins therapy and makes up with Derek. She attributed the difficulties she faces to temporary setbacks and circumstances rather than flaws she will always carry. Even when she faces difficulty with Derek leaving her at the end of season four, she has a new thought of how she can be okay and feel whole even if he is not there with her. When Meredith has these more positive thoughts, she has improved motivation and resilience because she sees her potential to grow. 

There are both scenarios where Meredith has controllable attributions and uncontrollable attributions. For example, in seasons two and three, she essentially accepts that the bad events she goes through, such as her mother having Alzheimer’s, Derek’s marriage, and Denny’s death, are just part of her life and entirely out of her control. The effect of these thoughts are that she once again feels helpless and withdraws emotionally and even self-sabotages. This uncontrollable attribution brings on apathy, avoidance, and very low motivation for Meredith. At the end of season five, Meredith begins to accept that she does have an impact on what happens in her life and she starts taking control. She proposes to Derek, and begins forgiving herself for her past. She has thoughts like “I can do better” and feelings of empowerment and confidence rather than just feeling defeated. She builds strength and self-efficacy and has a motivation towards emotional recovery.