Covariation Model

The Covariation Model explains how people make judgments about why someone behaves a certain way. It suggests that we look at three types of information: consistency (does the person usually act this way?), distinctiveness (does the person act differently in this situation?), and consensus (do others act the same way in this situation?). If behavior is consistent over time, specific to this situation, and most people act similarly, we infer that the cause is likely something about the situation. Conversely, if behavior varies, it might be due to the person's individual traits. This model helps us assess whether to attribute actions to internal qualities or external circumstances.