Attribution Formation

Definition

Attribution formation refers to the process through which individuals explain the causes behind other people's behavior (or their own). It involves making inferences about whether behavior is due to internal factors (personality traits, intentions) or external factors (situational factors, circumstances).

Related terms

Fundamental Attribution Error: The tendency to overestimate the role of internal factors and underestimate the impact of situational factors when explaining other people's behavior.

Self-Serving Bias: The tendency to attribute personal successes to internal factors but failures to external factors.

Actor-Observer Bias: The difference in attributions we make for our own behavior (often situational) versus others' behavior (often dispositional).