Question

Explain the external causes that determine the understanding of others’ behaviour.

Answer 1

Situational Attribution

External causes are behaviours that can be explained by situational or environmental conditions. When we attribute behaviour to external variables, we assume that the individual’s actions are influenced by circumstances beyond their control.

For example, if a student scores poorly on an examination, we may attribute it to the difficulty of the paper or to the student’s illness. Similarly, if someone arrives late, we may blame traffic or an emergency. Thus, external causes refer to the situation rather than the individual’s personal qualities.