Question

A father suggests that his son's low marks in school are due to the child's laziness. The father has made a(n) ______________attribution. A. external B. internal C. situational D. high consensus

Short answer

Answer: B. internal

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Types of Attribution

External attribution is when we believe the cause of a person's behavior is due to factors outside of the individual, such as the environment or circumstances. Internal attribution is when we think the cause of the behavior is due to personal factors, like personal traits or abilities. Situational attribution is similar to external attribution, but it focuses more specifically on the situation in which the behavior occurs. High consensus attribution occurs when many people behave in the same manner under similar circumstances.

Identifying the Correct Attribution Type

In this case, the father is suggesting that his son's low marks are due to the child's laziness, which is a personal trait or characteristic of the child. This is an internal attribution since it focuses on a personal factor as the cause of the low marks. The correct answer is: B. internal

Key concepts

External Attribution

When trying to understand someone's actions, external attribution plays a crucial role. This concept involves attributing a person's behavior to factors outside of their control, such as social influences, environmental pressures, or luck.

For instance, if a student performs poorly on a test, one might use external attribution and suggest that the test was unfair or the room was too noisy, rather than blame the student’s abilities. It's a perspective that fosters empathy and considers the broader context of actions.

Situational Attribution

In the realm of psychology, situational attribution looks closely at the external circumstances that could influence behavior. It’s a subset of external attribution but narrows down the focus to the immediate situation.

If we encounter someone who is usually friendly but snaps at us one day, we might consider the situational attribution; perhaps they are under stress or received some bad news. It's not about the person's character but the situation affecting their reactions at that moment.

High Consensus Attribution

High consensus attribution involves recognizing that if many people are reacting similarly in a particular situation, there might be a common external factor at play.

For example, if most employees at a company dislike a new policy, one might say the high level of dissatisfaction is due to the policy itself rather than each employee's personal disposition. High consensus attribution emphasizes that the behavior is typical and widely shared among individuals in the same context.

Behavioral Causes

Understanding behavioral causes is about dissecting the factors that motivate actions. These can be internal, stemming from a person’s own traits or beliefs, or external, linked to environmental or situational elements.

For instance, if someone donates to charity, we could attribute it to their inherent generosity (internal) or to the social rewards of being seen as charitable (external). Pinpointing the behavioral causes behind actions can provide insight into a person's character and motivations.