Attribution of Behavior in Social Contexts

Very Hard Unit 9: Social Psychology Attribution Theory

Attribution Theory provides a framework for understanding how people explain the causes of behaviors or events. Consider a scenario in which a group of friends goes out for dinner, and one friend, Taylor, insists on ordering an expensive meal. Some members of the group may view Taylor's decision as selfish and believe it reflects his character, while others may see it as a temporary financial indulgence due to a recent promotion. This varying interpretation raises questions about how observers attribute reasons to behaviors.

Which of the following best describes the reasoning behind attributing Taylor's behavior to an internal disposition rather than to external situational factors?

Observers often focus on consistent behavior over time.

People tend to consider personal traits when behaviors are unusual.

Situational factors are usually emphasized in collectivist cultures.

Attribution theory suggests a general tendency to highlight external factors.

Internal attributions are made when there is a lack of information about circumstances.

Hint

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