Which theory focuses on how people attribute causes to others' behavior, distinguishing internal and external attributions?

• A. Attribution theory
• B. Social learning theory
• C. Motivation theory
• D. Cognitive theory

Answer: (A)

Attribution theory explains how we explain why someone acted a certain way by deciding whether the cause is inside the person (internal, dispositional) or outside in the situation (external, situational). This helps us understand judgments about others and how those judgments shape responses and expectations. For example, if a student misses a deadline, you might attribute it to laziness (internal) or to an illness or heavy workload (external). Recognizing this distinction is also tied to biases like the fundamental attribution error, where we overemphasize internal traits in others while underestimating external factors. The other theories describe different ideas—how we learn from others, why we’re motivated to act, or how we think processes work—but attribution theory specifically focuses on explaining behavior by distinguishing internal versus external causes.