The Attribution Theory

Attribution Theory explains how people interpret and assign reasons to their own actions and others’ behavior. It suggests we tend to attribute behavior either to internal factors, like someone’s personality or intentions, or external factors, like the situation or environment. For example, if someone is late, we might think they’re careless (internal), or that they got stuck in traffic (external). These perceptions influence how we respond and understand social interactions. The theory helps explain why people sometimes make quick judgments and how these judgments can affect relationships and perceptions.