Question

Jack and Jill just saw a fellow student arrive late for class. Jack immediately assumes the student overslept, while Jill thinks the student must have been caught in traffic. Jack is making a(n) __________ attribution, while Jill is making a(n) ___________ attribution.

Answer 1

Answer:

Jack is making a(n) internal attribution, while Jill is making a(n) external attribution.

Explanation:

The attribution theory in psychology explains people try to make sense of a behavior or event by assigning causes to it. When we say Jack is making an internal attribution, that means he thinks the cause for an event results from the involved person's personality, ability, skills, efforts, moods, etc. In other words, he somewhat blames the person for his own behavior. On the other hand, when we say Jill is making an external attribution, that means he explains the cause as a matter of luck. He understands the possibility of interference by other people or the environment, etc.