Covariation Theory

Covariation Theory explains how we determine the cause of someone's behavior by examining if the behavior occurs consistently over time, across different situations, and with different people. If a person acts a certain way only in specific situations or with certain people, we may attribute the behavior to those external factors. Conversely, if the behavior happens regularly across various contexts, we might see it as a reflection of their genuine personality or internal traits. Essentially, we judge the cause of behavior based on patterns and consistency across different circumstances.