1.

Explain attribution theory and list the three determinants of attribution

a) Attribution Theory
Attribution theory is a social psychology theory developed by Fritz Heider, Harold
Kelley, Edward E. Jones, and Lee Ross. The theory explores how individuals
"attribute" causes to events and behavior.
It is defined as,
An attempt when individuals observe behavior to determine whether it is
internally or externally caused of our or others.
There are following two attributing factors that people make:
A. Dispositional or Internal Attributes
B. Situational or External Attributes
A. Dispositional or Internal Attributes
"Internal" or "dispositional" attribution is the process of assigning the cause
of behavior to some internal characteristic, rather than to outside forces.
When we explain the behavior of others we look for enduring internal
attributions, such as personality traits.
For example, we attribute the behavior of a person to their personality,
intelligence, abilities, motives or beliefs etc.
Internal causes are under that persons control.
B. Situational or External Attributes
"External" or "situational" attribution is the process of assigning the cause
of behavior to some situation or event outside a person's control rather
than to some internal characteristic.
When we try to explain our own behavior we tend to make external
attributions, such as situational or environment features.
External causes are not that persons control.
b) Determining Factors of Attribution Theory
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The determination of internally or externally caused behavior depends chiefly on

the following three factors:
I.
II.
III.

Distinctiveness
Consensus
Consistency

I.

Distinctiveness
Distinctiveness refers an individual displays different behavior at different
situations.
If the behavior (say being late in the office) is unusual, then it is an external
attribution; and if it is usual, then it is internal attribution.

II.

Consensus
Consensus refers to the uniformity of the behavior shown by all the
concerned people.
If everyone reports late on a particular morning, it is easily assumed that
there must be a severe traffic disruption in the city and thus the behavior is
externally attributed.
But if the consensus is low, it is internally attributed.

III.

Consistency
Consistency is the reverse of distinctiveness. Consistency refers the
individual same behavior over time.
Thus in judging the behavior of an individual, the person looks at his past
record.
If the present behavior is consistently found to occur in the past as well
(that is being late at least three times a week), it is attributed as internally
caused.

Figure below depicts the attribution theory in short.

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Lets look at an example to help understand his particular attribution theory. Our
subject is called Tom. His behavior is laughter. Tom is laughing at a comedian.
A. Distinctiveness: Only Tom laughs at this comedian. Distinctiveness is high.
If Tom laughs at everything distinctiveness is low.
B. Consensus: Everybody in the audience is laughing. Consensus is high. If
only Tom is laughing consensus is low.
C. Consistency: Tom always laughs at this comedian. Consistency is high. Tom
rarely laughs at this comedian consistency is low.

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