Attribution Theory: Understanding How We Explain Others' Behavior

Question 1

Which of the following is not a characteristic of attribution?

Accepted Answer

Unconditional

Answer

Internal

Answer

External

Answer

Stable

Question 2

Which example shows someone explaining behaviour using a dispositional attribution?

Accepted Answer

The student didn't study for the exam because they are lazy.

Answer

The employee was late for work due to heavy traffic.

Answer

The volunteer helped the elderly woman cross the street to impress bystanders.

Question 3

According to attribution theory, which factors influence our explanations of behavior?

Accepted Answer

Situation, Actor, and Context

Answer

Culture only

Answer

Age only

Question 4

Which attribution bias involves attributing positive behaviors to oneself and negative behaviors to others?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Ingroup-outgroup bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Question 5

Kelley's Covariation Model suggests considering which criteria to make accurate attributions?

Accepted Answer

Distinctiveness, Consensus, and Consistency

Answer

Culture and Gender

Answer

Context and Situation

Answer

Age and Personality

Question 6

Which characteristic is NOT associated with internal attributions?

Accepted Answer

Unstable

Answer

Internal

Answer

Dispositional

Answer

Controllable

Question 7

In Weiner's Achievement Attribution Theory, what dimension refers to the effort invested in a task?

Accepted Answer

Effort

Answer

Luck

Answer

Ability

Answer

Control

Question 8

Which research method is commonly used to study attribution processes?

Accepted Answer

Experiment

Answer

Naturalistic observation

Answer

Survey

Answer

Case study

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a dispositional attribution?

Accepted Answer

Her consistent tardiness stems from her laziness.

Answer

He failed the exam because of its excessive difficulty.

Answer

He could not make the call as he misplaced his phone.

Answer

She received the promotion due to the boss's personal favoritism.

Question 10

The tendency to attribute others' behavior mainly to their inner traits is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 11

Incorrect attributions can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Misunderstandings, Conflicts, and Stereotyping

Answer

Enhanced self-esteem

Answer

Improved relationships

Answer

Increased motivation

Question 12

According to attribution theory, which of the following factors does **not** influence our attributions of others' behavior?

Accepted Answer

Physical attractiveness

Answer

Consensus about the behavior

Answer

Consistency of the behavior

Answer

Salience of the behavior

Question 13

Fritz Heider's attribution theory proposes that we infer people's intentions by primarily observing their:

Accepted Answer

Behavior

Answer

Subconscious motives

Answer

Thoughts

Answer

Emotions

Question 14

The fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the role of internal factors in explaining others' behavior, while underestimating situational factors.

Answer

Attribute behavior solely to external factors.

Answer

Underestimate the role of internal factors in explaining our own behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a self-serving bias in attribution?

Accepted Answer

Attributing our failures to external factors, while our successes to internal factors.

Answer

Attributing both our own and others' successes to external factors

Answer

Attributing others' failures to internal factors

Question 16

Individuals with a high need for cognitive closure tend to make:

Accepted Answer

Quick and confident attributions, often without considering alternative explanations.

Answer

Ambiguous and hesitant attributions

Answer

Accurate and insightful attributions

Answer

Complex and nuanced attributions

Question 17

One advantage of using situational attributions is that it:

Accepted Answer

Promotes empathy and understanding by recognizing that behavior may be influenced by the situation.

Answer

Helps us to avoid making excuses for behavior.

Answer

Allows us to predict future behavior with certainty.

Question 18

According to Kelley's covariation model, the key factor in determining our attributions is:

Accepted Answer

Consistency of the behavior across different situations

Answer

Salience of the behavior in our memory

Answer

Distinctiveness of the behavior compared to other behaviors

Answer

Consensus about the behavior among different people

Question 19

A potential consequence of making inaccurate attributions can be:

Accepted Answer

Damaged relationships due to misunderstandings or blame

Answer

Increased self-esteem

Answer

Improved decision-making

Answer

Greater empathy for others

Question 20

Who developed Attribution Theory, which explains how people make causal attributions about others' behavior?

Accepted Answer

Fritz Heider

Answer

Leon Festinger

Answer

Henri Tajfel

Answer

Victor Vroom

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Attributing our own behavior to internal factors and others' behavior to external factors

Answer

Underestimating the influence of situational factors in events

Answer

Overestimating the influence of personal factors in events

Question 22

Which of the following describes the tendency of individuals with a high need for closure in attribution processes?

Accepted Answer

They prefer simple, clear-cut explanations for events

Answer

They rely heavily on external factors to explain behavior

Answer

They are more likely to change their attributions over time

Answer

They avoid making attributions altogether

Question 23

Which potential consequence of inaccurate attributions is illustrated by the tendency to stereotype and form prejudices against certain groups of people?

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping and prejudice

Answer

Improved problem-solving abilities

Answer

Enhanced interpersonal relationships

Answer

Increased self-awareness

Question 24

In attribution theory, what is the significance of covariation?

Accepted Answer

It helps determine the extent to which an outcome is consistently associated with a perceived cause

Answer

It identifies the specific intentions behind behavior

Answer

It evaluates the plausibility of alternative explanations

Question 25

Which type of attribution focuses on stable, enduring characteristics as the cause of behavior?

Accepted Answer

Dispositional Attribution

Answer

Environmental Attribution

Answer

Situational Attribution

Answer

Motivational Attribution

Question 26

The 'actor-observer effect' refers to the tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute our own behavior to situational factors and others' behavior to dispositional factors

Answer

Underestimate the influence of others' actions on outcomes

Answer

Overestimate the influence of our own actions on outcomes

Question 27

Which of the following is a recommended technique to improve the accuracy of attributions?

Accepted Answer

Considering multiple perspectives

Answer

Jumping to conclusions based on limited information

Answer

Focusing exclusively on internal factors

Answer

Ignoring situational context

Question 28

In which real-world settings can attribution theory be applied?

Accepted Answer

Understanding interpersonal relationships, reducing prejudice, and improving communication

Answer

Solving mathematical equations, composing music, and writing poetry

Answer

Predicting the future, controlling behavior, and curing illnesses

Question 29

What is the term for the tendency to take credit for our successes while blaming external factors for our failures?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Correspondent bias

Question 30

Which type of attribution involves inferring a person's intentions or characteristics based on their behavior?

Accepted Answer

Dispositional attribution

Answer

Internal attribution

Answer

External attribution

Answer

Situational attribution

Question 31

What is the name of the cognitive bias where we overestimate the influence of personal factors and underestimate the impact of situational factors in explaining behavior?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Correspondent bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 32

How can attribution theory help us to reduce prejudice and discrimination?

Accepted Answer

By encouraging people to consider situational factors and make more external attributions for the behavior of others.

Answer

By teaching people to make more internal attributions for their own behavior.

Question 33

What is the relationship between attribution theory and social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Attribution theory is a key component of social psychology, helping us to understand how we perceive and interpret the behavior of others.

Answer

Attribution theory is not related to social psychology.

Question 34

What is the key difference between internal and external attributions?

Accepted Answer

Internal attributions focus on factors within the individual, while external attributions focus on factors outside the individual.

Answer

Internal attributions focus on factors outside the individual, while external attributions focus on factors within the individual.

Question 35

How can understanding attribution theory improve our social interactions?

Accepted Answer

It enables us to be more empathetic and understanding of others' behavior, leading to more positive and harmonious relationships.

Answer

It has no impact on our social interactions.

Answer

It enables us to be more judgmental and critical of others' behavior.

Question 36

According to Heider's attribution theory, people attribute others' behavior to:

Accepted Answer

Both their internal (dispositional) and external (situational) characteristics

Answer

Only their external (situational) characteristics

Answer

Only their internal (dispositional) characteristics

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a type of attribution bias?

Accepted Answer

Self-awareness bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Halo effect

Question 38

Kelly's covariation model suggests that attributions are made based on:

Accepted Answer

Consistency, distinctiveness, and consensus information

Answer

Consistency and distinctiveness information only

Answer

Distinctiveness and consensus information only

Question 39

Which of the following is a key assumption of attribution theory?

Accepted Answer

People strive to make sense of others' behavior, attributing it to causes

Answer

People only attribute behavior to external factors

Answer

Attributions have no impact on behavior

Answer

People's attributions are always accurate

Question 40

The tendency to attribute success to our own abilities and effort, but failure to external factors, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 41

Which of the following is a consequence of making incorrect attributions?

Accepted Answer

Misunderstandings, conflict, and impaired relationships

Answer

Improved communication

Answer

None of the above

Answer

Enhanced relationships

Question 42

In Weiner's attribution theory, the locus of causality refers to:

Accepted Answer

Whether the perceived cause of behavior is internal (within the person) or external (outside the person)

Answer

Whether the perceived cause of behavior is stable or unstable

Answer

Whether the perceived cause of behavior is controllable or uncontrollable

Question 43

The tendency to attribute behavior to stable, internal factors, even when situational factors may be more relevant, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 44

The fundamental attribution error describes our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Overemphasize the role of personality traits and downplay the influence of the situation when explaining someone else's behavior.

Answer

Underestimate the role of personality traits and overemphasize the influence of the situation when explaining someone else's behavior.

Question 45

Self-serving bias means we tend to:

Accepted Answer

Take credit for our successes by attributing them to our own abilities, while blaming external factors for our failures.

Answer

Attribute both our successes and failures to internal factors.

Answer

Attribute our successes to external factors and our failures to internal factors.

Question 46

What is a potential negative consequence of making inaccurate attributions about others?

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping and prejudice

Answer

Increased self-esteem

Answer

Improved relationships

Answer

Enhanced problem-solving

Question 47

Which of these best describes a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Accepted Answer

Our beliefs about someone lead them to act in ways that confirm those beliefs.

Answer

Our expectations about someone are accurate, and their behavior matches our predictions.

Question 48

What is a significant contribution that attribution theory has made to our understanding of human behavior?

Accepted Answer

How we interpret and explain the actions of others.

Answer

How we develop our sense of self.

Answer

How we manage our emotions.

Question 49

How can understanding attribution theory help us in our daily lives?

Accepted Answer

Improve communication and understanding in relationships.

Answer

Treat mental health conditions.

Answer

Develop educational interventions.

Answer

Predict criminal behavior.

Question 50

You see someone driving erratically, swerving between lanes. Which of these explanations is an example of an internal attribution for their behavior?

Accepted Answer

The driver is reckless and inconsiderate.

Answer

They're rushing someone to the hospital.

Answer

Heavy traffic is making them anxious.

Answer

Their GPS is malfunctioning.

Question 51

You get a top grade on your psychology exam.  According to the self-serving bias, how are you most likely to explain your success?

Accepted Answer

My hard work and studying led to this great result.

Answer

I was lucky and guessed many answers right.

Answer

The exam was really easy.

Question 52

Your friend arrives late for dinner. You think, 'They're always late, they just don't care about my time'. This is an example of which type of attribution?

Accepted Answer

Dispositional attribution

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Situational attribution

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 53

What is a key principle of Kelley's Covariation Model?

Accepted Answer

We look at how consistent, distinctive, and agreed-upon a behavior is to understand why it happened.

Answer

We mainly use our gut feelings when figuring out why people do things.

Answer

Culture doesn't really matter when people make judgments about others.

Question 54

If you assume someone is unfriendly just because they were rude once, you're making a mistake called:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 55

The tendency to overemphasize a person's personality and underplay the situation when explaining their actions is called:

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

The actor-observer bias

Answer

The self-serving bias

Question 56

What is a potential consequence of the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Making harsh judgments about people based on limited information.

Answer

Being more empathetic towards others.

Answer

Accurately predicting someone's future actions.

Question 57

Taking credit for our successes and blaming our failures on outside factors is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The self-serving bias

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

The fundamental attribution error

Answer

The actor-observer bias

Question 58

Why are we motivated to make attributions about people's behavior?

Accepted Answer

To make sense of the social world around us and predict what might happen.

Answer

To avoid taking responsibility for our own actions.

Answer

To confirm our pre-existing beliefs and opinions.