Attribution theory.
Identify and explain the basic assumptions of attribution theory. Explain how we are biased in the attributions we make.
Sample Answer
Attribution theory is a theory in psychology that seeks to explain how people make inferences about the causes of behavior. The theory is based on the assumption that people are motivated to understand the world around them and to predict future events. To do this, people make attributions, or inferences, about the causes of behavior.
Basic assumptions of attribution theory:
- People are motivated to understand the causes of behavior.
- People use a variety of information to make attributions, including the actor’s behavior, the situational context, and their own knowledge and experience.
- People use different attributional biases when making attributions.