# Can Large Language Models Assess and Reframe Psychological Attribution: A Benchmark and Analysis


## Background
According to the reformulated version of the Learned Helplessness theory, an individual who experiences uncontrollable negative events may subsequently develop a negative attributional style, whereby the person exhibit greater susceptibility to helplessness deficits compared to their optimistic counterparts. This attributional style not only contributes to depressive symptoms but also represents a malleable target for cognitive therapy.


## Structure


## Attributional Style Transfer Dataset(ASTD)

### Format
```
[    
    {
        "utterance": "As I stand here, gazing out at the unfamiliar streets, ...",
        "id": "02267",
        "label": "GAS"
    },
    {
        "utterance": "Hello wonderful world of Reddit! ...",
        "id": "03192",
        "label": "NEU"
    },
    {
        "utterance": "As I sit here thinking about my housing search, ...",
        "id": "00362",
        "label": "SPAS"
    },
...
]
```


## Attributional Style Assessment


### Methods and Tools Comparison

| Method/Tool                                |Description                                                                                           | Purpose/Use                                                                 |
|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ)    | 60-item survey asking respondents to identify causes of 12 hypothetical situations                    | Assess individual differences in attributional styles                       |
| Content Analysis of Verbatim Explanations (CAVE)                                               | Assesses attributional style from verbal data                               |
| Data-driven approaches                    | Uses statistical and machine learning tools to analyze attribution style                  | Enables deeper insights and new opportunities in psychological data analysis |







## Attributional Reframing
Attributional Reframing transforms negative self-perceptions by shifting how individuals interpret the causes of events. Rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles, it reinterprets maladaptive attributions (e.g., internalizing blame as "my fault") into adaptive ones (e.g., externalizing causes as "situational factors"). This process reduces cognitive biases linked to depression and fosters resilience.




### **Evaluation Criteria**  
1. **Event Catastrophizing**  


2. **Attribution Transfer Accuracy**  
   Assesses causal shift across three dimensions:  


3. **Coherence**  
   Ensures logical flow and thematic consistency from problem to resolution.  


4. **Constructive Coping**  
   Evaluates actionable strategies or mindset shifts.  





