Chapter 14, Problem 10MC

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Attribution is the process of assigning motives to actions. When assigning motives to others, these attributions are typically either situational or dispositional. However, when it comes to our own actions, there are two other considerations. When discussing our own actions, we often attribute them to situational factors. On the other hand, we tend to attribute the actions of others to their dispositions. Social psychologists call this the actor-observer effect. Additionally, our own actions can be further categorized into success and failures. Successes are often ascribed to dispositional, internal factors. Failures, though, are chalked up to external, situational factors.