Social Attribution

Social attribution is the process by which people interpret and assign causes to the behaviors of others. When we observe someone acting a certain way, we try to understand why they are doing that—whether it’s due to their personality, their situation, or external factors. This helps us make sense of social interactions and predict future behavior. For example, if someone is late, we might think they are forgetful (personal cause) or stuck in traffic (situational cause). These judgments influence how we respond and relate to others, shaping our social perceptions and relationships.