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Concept of Attribution

Topics

Estimated time: 18 minutes

Introduction
Definition: Attribution
Internal Causes
External Causes
Kelley's Three Dimensions
Internal Attribution Pattern
External Attribution Pattern
Real-Life Application
Key Points: Concept of Attribution

CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Man is gregarious (social) by nature — we live and interact with others in society. We constantly think about people around us — why they behave a certain way, whether they are honest, moody, or emotionally unstable. All such thinking about other people is called social thought. Attribution is an important part of social thought and it influences our social perception.

CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Attribution

The process through which people try to determine and understand the causes and reasons behind others' behaviour, whether due to internal causes or external factors.

CISCE: Class 12

Internal Causes

Internal causes lie within the person — personality traits, character, intentions, motives.
Different personality traits lead to different behaviours (e.g., extroverts vs. introverts).
Internal attribution means concluding that a person behaved a certain way because of who they are.

CISCE: Class 12

External Causes

External causes are factors beyond the person's control — environmental pressure, circumstances.
External attribution means concluding that the situation caused the behaviour, not the person's personality.
The person had no other choice but to act that way in that situation.

CISCE: Class 12

Kelley's Three Dimensions

To decide internal or external cause, Kelley proposed three types of information.
Consensus: Do other people also behave the same way in this situation?
Consistency: Does this person behave the same way every time?
Distinctiveness: Does this person behave the same way across different situations?

CISCE: Class 12

Internal Attribution Pattern

Low consensus — very few people act like X.
High consistency — X behaves this way every time.
Low distinctiveness — X behaves this way in all situations.
Conclusion: Behaviour is due to internal/personality factors.
Example: A person is always rude to everybody, and a few others behave this way → he is rude by nature.

CISCE: Class 12

External Attribution Pattern

High consensus — many people behave the same way.
High consistency — X consistently behaves this way.
High distinctiveness — X behaves this way only in this particular situation.
Conclusion: Behaviour is due to external/situational factors — the person is not responsible.
The person had no other choice but to act that way in that situation.

CISCE: Class 12

Real-Life Application

A lady pushed a man in a queue and stood in front of him without apologising.
His first reaction was anger — he assumed she is rude (internal attribution).
Then he thought she might be in a hurry (external attribution).
He controlled his anger because of the external attribution he chose.
This shows that the attribution we make determines our perception and response.

CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Concept of Attribution

Social Thought: Thinking about why other people behave in certain ways.
Attribution: The process of finding the causes of others' behaviour.
Internal Causes: Behaviour caused by personality traits, motives, or intentions.
External Causes: Behaviour caused by situational or environmental factors.
Kelley’s Dimensions: Attribution is understood through consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness.
Attribution Patterns:
Internal: Low consensus, high consistency, low distinctiveness.
External: High consensus, high consistency, high distinctiveness.