attribution theory

psychology

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June 18, 2026

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Attribution theory in psychology attempts to explain how individuals interpret the causes of their own and others' behavior. Developed by Fritz Heider, the theory suggests that people typically attribute behavior to either internal dispositions or external situations. This framework helps understand how we form judgments about why people act the way they do. For instance, teachers might reject students they perceive as capable but unwilling to control their behavior, aligning with attribution theory principles.1

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motivation
Attribution theory
A second major approach to achievement motivation rejects the expectancy-value formulation and analyzes instead the attributions that people make about achievement situations. In general, attribution theory concerns how people make judgments about someone’s (or their own) behaviour—that is, the causes to which they…
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A second major approach to achievement motivation rejects the expectancy-value formulation and analyzes instead the attributions that people make about achievement situations. In general, attribution theory concerns how people make judgments about someone’s (or their own) behaviour—that is, the causes to which they…
Read More