Attribution theory helps us understand how people make sense of actions in social situations. There are two main types of attributions: internal and external.

Internal Attributions

• What is it?: Internal attributions explain behaviors based on personal qualities, like a person’s skills, personality, or efforts.
• Interesting Fact: Research shows that about 62% of the time, people think their successes come from their own abilities. But only 28% blame themselves when they fail. This shows we like to see ourselves in a positive light.
• Example: If a student does really well on a test, they might say it was because they are smart or they studied hard.

External Attributions

• What is it?: External attributions look at behaviors as a result of outside factors, like luck, the environment, or other people’s actions.
• Interesting Fact: Studies reveal that around 71% of people tend to blame outside factors when others fail. This shows that we often ignore what might be going on inside someone else.
• Example: If a student doesn’t do well on a test, they might think it’s because the teacher didn’t explain the topic well or the test was unfair.

Key Differences

1. Focus: Internal attributions focus on personal traits, while external attributions look at the situation around a person.
2. Bias: People often recognize their successes as their own doing but blame outside factors for their failures. This is called the fundamental attribution error.
3. Impact on Relationships: Knowing the difference between these attributions can change how we interact with others. Internal attributions can lead to bitterness, while external ones can create understanding.

By understanding these types of attributions, psychologists can learn more about social behavior and how we make choices.