Attribution

Attribution is the process by which individuals seek to understand the causes of others’ behavior.

Social psychologists suggest that individuals instinctively try to explain why a behavior occurred and interpret the social world to anticipate future actions.

For example, if a friend cancels plans at the last minute, one may question whether they are truly busy or just uninterested.

Individuals analyze others' behavior and work backward to determine its causes, considering intentions, abilities, traits, motives, and external pressures that influence their actions.

For instance, if a colleague offers assistance, one might wonder whether they are genuinely helpful, seeking personal gain, or following social norms.

Attribution falls into two main types — internal or dispositional attribution and external or situational attribution.

Internal attribution links behavior to personal traits, motives, or abilities, such as believing someone is kind because they frequently help others.

Conversely, external attribution explains behavior through situational factors like social pressure, luck, or environmental influences, such as assuming someone helped due to workplace expectations rather than personal kindness.