Attribution Theory: Understanding the Causes of Behavior

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an attribution bias?

Accepted Answer

Illusion of control

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 2

According to Fritz Heider's attribution theory, which of the following is NOT considered when making attributions about behavior?

Accepted Answer

The observer's perspective

Answer

The actor's disposition

Answer

The situation's influence

Answer

The actor's internal state

Question 3

Which cognitive bias refers to the tendency to attribute others' successes to internal factors while attributing our own successes to external factors?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 4

What is the fundamental attribution error in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Attributing others' behavior primarily to internal factors

Answer

Attributing others' behavior primarily to situational factors

Answer

Attributing our own behavior primarily to internal factors

Answer

Attributing our own behavior primarily to situational factors

Question 5

Which cultural factor has the most significant influence on attribution styles?

Accepted Answer

Individualism vs collectivism

Answer

Power distance

Answer

Uncertainty avoidance

Answer

Masculinity vs femininity

Question 6

According to self-perception theory, how do we infer our own attitudes?

Accepted Answer

By observing our own behavior

Answer

By recalling our past experiences

Answer

By asking others for their opinions

Answer

By reading about the topic

Question 7

How does the just-world hypothesis influence attributions?

Accepted Answer

It leads us to believe that people deserve the outcomes they experience

Answer

It makes us more likely to attribute success to internal factors

Answer

It makes us more likely to attribute failure to external factors

Answer

It has no influence on attributions

Question 8

Which type of attribution error occurs when we attribute our own successes to internal factors and our failures to external factors?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 9

How can attribution theory be used to analyze the factors contributing to the decline of a friendship over time?

Accepted Answer

By examining how each friend assigns responsibility for the decline to internal or external causes.

Answer

By identifying specific actions that have led to the friendship's deterioration.

Answer

By determining if the decline is due to a lack of compatibility or a specific conflict.

Answer

By suggesting strategies to enhance the friendship and prevent further decline.

Question 10

In fundamental attribution error, individuals tend to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute others' behaviors to internal factors and their own behaviors to external factors

Answer

Attribute their own behaviors to external factors and others' behaviors to internal factors

Answer

Attribute both their own and others' behaviors to environmental factors

Answer

Attribute neither their own nor others' behaviors to any specific factors

Question 11

According to attribution theory, people are more likely to make dispositional attributions when the target behavior is perceived as:

Accepted Answer

Intentional

Answer

Unintentional

Answer

Situational

Answer

Accidental

Question 12

The just-world hypothesis suggests that people believe:

Accepted Answer

The world is just and fair, and people generally get what they deserve

Answer

The world is chaotic and unpredictable, and bad things can happen to anyone

Answer

The world is a cruel and unjust place

Answer

People are ultimately responsible for their own misfortunes

Question 13

Which type of attribution involves making inferences about a person's internal traits, characteristics, or emotional state based on their behavior?

Accepted Answer

Dispositional attribution

Answer

Situational attribution

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Self-serving bias

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of attribution theory?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that people are always rational and objective in making attributions, which may not always be the case.

Answer

It primarily focuses on individual attributions and may not fully consider social and cultural contexts.

Answer

It does not account for cultural variations in how people make attributions.

Answer

It can be challenging to determine the true causes of behavior with certainty.

Question 15

Which researchers are credited with developing the theory of the actor-observer effect?

Accepted Answer

Edward Jones and Richard Nisbett

Answer

Fritz Heider and Marianne Simmel

Answer

Harold Kelley and John Thibaut

Answer

Lee Ross and David Funder

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Attributing a colleague's curtness to a stressful day at work

Answer

Attributing a student's poor performance on a test to their lack of effort

Answer

Attributing a friend's kindness to their naturally warm personality

Answer

Attributing a neighbor's loud music to their lack of consideration

Question 17

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the salience of an attribution?

Accepted Answer

The number of people involved in the behavior

Answer

The distinctiveness of the behavior, or how unique it is compared to other actions

Answer

The consensus of the behavior, or how others behave in similar situations

Answer

The recency of the behavior, or how recently it occurred

Question 18

How do situational factors affect our explanations for behavior in attribution theory?

Accepted Answer

They provide alternative explanations, reducing the likelihood of internal attributions.

Answer

They have no impact on attributions.

Answer

They influence attributions for others, but not for oneself.

Answer

They always lead to external attributions, even when internal factors are present.

Question 19

Which of the following is **not** a type of attribution?

Accepted Answer

Intrapersonal

Answer

Dispositional

Answer

Situational

Answer

Behavioral

Question 20

According to attribution theory, the fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the influence of dispositional factors on behavior

Answer

Overestimate the influence of situational factors on behavior

Answer

Underestimate the influence of dispositional factors on behavior

Answer

Underestimate the influence of situational factors on behavior

Question 21

Which of the following factors **cannot** influence how we make attributions?

Accepted Answer

The weather on a particular day

Answer

Our cultural background

Answer

Our personal experiences

Answer

The context in which the behavior occurs

Question 22

How can attribution theory help explain why a group of students might perform poorly on an exam?

Accepted Answer

By understanding the students' attributions for their poor performance, teachers can tailor interventions to address the perceived causes.

Answer

Attribution theory only applies to individual behavior, not to group behavior.

Answer

The fundamental attribution error is irrelevant to understanding group behavior.

Answer

Attribution theory cannot explain why groups sometimes perform better than individuals.

Question 23

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

Accepted Answer

Availability bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 24

The process of explaining the causes of our own behavior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Internal attribution

Answer

External attribution

Answer

Unstable attribution

Answer

Situational attribution

Question 25

The tendency to attribute others' behavior to internal factors, even when external factors may be present, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Just-world hypothesis

Question 26

The tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and our failures to external factors is called:

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Defensive attribution

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Question 27

The belief that the world is fundamentally fair and just is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Just-world hypothesis

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of attribution theory?

Accepted Answer

Attributions are always rational and objective

Answer

Attributions may be inaccurate

Answer

Attributions may vary across cultures

Answer

Attributions cannot be used to predict behavior

Question 29

The tendency to attribute our own behavior to external factors and others' behavior to internal factors is called:

Accepted Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Just-world hypothesis

Question 30

According to attribution theory, when explaining others' behaviors, we consider:

Accepted Answer

Both situational and dispositional factors

Answer

Solely situational factors

Answer

Solely dispositional factors

Answer

Neither situational nor dispositional factors

Question 31

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies the self-serving bias?

Accepted Answer

Attributing one's failures to external factors, but successes to internal factors.

Answer

Attributing one's successes to luck, but failures to internal factors.

Answer

Attributing others' failures to dispositional factors, but successes to situational factors.

Answer

Attributing others' successes to internal factors, but failures to luck.

Question 32

How does the actor-observer effect influence our attributions?

Accepted Answer

Causes us to attribute others' actions more to situational factors than our own.

Answer

Causes us to attribute our own actions more to situational factors than others'.

Answer

Causes us to attribute our own actions more to dispositional factors than others'.

Answer

Causes us to attribute others' actions more to dispositional factors than our own.

Question 33

A fundamental assumption underlying attribution theory is that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals possess a desire to understand the causes of behavior.

Answer

People's attributions are always accurate and unbiased.

Answer

Attributions are unaffected by the context or situation.

Answer

Culture plays no role in shaping attributions.

Question 34

Which of the following is a fundamental concept in Attribution Theory, suggesting that our judgments of others' behavior are influenced by our expectations and perceptions?

Accepted Answer

Attributions are influenced by our expectations.

Answer

Perceptions are objective and unbiased.

Answer

Behavior is always caused by internal factors.

Answer

Situational factors have no impact on our judgments.

Question 35

According to Fritz Heider's Attribution Theory, when we attribute behavior to internal, dispositional factors, such as personality traits or attitudes, what type of attribution is occurring?

Accepted Answer

Dispositional attribution

Answer

Stable attribution

Answer

Situational attribution

Answer

External attribution

Question 36

The fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Overestimate the influence of external factors on others' behavior.

Answer

Ignore the role of situational factors in shaping behavior.

Answer

Assume that others' behavior is always intentional.

Question 37

The covariation model of attribution helps us determine the causes of behavior by examining:

Accepted Answer

The consistency, distinctiveness, and consensus of a behavior.

Answer

The intention behind a behavior.

Answer

The social and cultural context of a behavior.

Answer

The physiological responses associated with a behavior.

Question 38

According to Attribution Theory, which of the following behaviors is more likely to be attributed to dispositional factors?

Accepted Answer

Helping others consistently

Answer

Being rude to a stranger

Answer

Being clumsy in a sporting event

Answer

Being nervous during a job interview

Question 39

How does the actor-observer effect influence our attributions?

Accepted Answer

We tend to attribute others' behavior to internal factors more than our own.

Answer

We tend to attribute our own behavior to external factors more than others do ours.

Answer

We tend to be more critical of our own behavior than others are.

Answer

We tend to be more forgiving of our own behavior than others are.

Question 40

Self-serving bias refers to the tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute successes to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Answer

Attribute both successes and failures to internal factors.

Answer

Attribute successes to external factors and failures to internal factors.

Question 41

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

Accepted Answer

Weather conditions

Answer

Effort

Answer

Personality traits

Answer

Ability

Question 42

In attribution theory, the tendency to infer others' internal states based on their behavior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Correspondence bias

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Question 43

Which of the following is a limitation of attribution theory?

Accepted Answer

It overlooks unconscious factors influencing behavior.

Answer

It is easily applicable in practical settings.

Answer

It provides a comprehensive explanation of all behavior.

Answer

It has extensive research support.

Question 44

According to the actor-observer effect, people tend to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute their own behavior more to situational factors and others' behavior more to dispositional factors.

Answer

Attribute their own behavior more to dispositional factors and others' behavior more to situational factors.

Question 45

The fundamental attribution error involves:

Accepted Answer

Overestimating the role of internal factors and underestimating external factors in explaining others' behavior.

Answer

Underestimating the role of internal factors and overestimating external factors in explaining others' behavior.

Question 46

The belief that a person's behavior is primarily due to internal, personal factors, such as personality traits or attitudes, is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Halo effect

Question 47

Which type of bias involves explaining our successes as due to our own abilities and efforts, while attributing our failures to external circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Halo effect

Question 48

The tendency to explain our own behavior in terms of situational factors, but others' behavior in terms of personal factors, is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Halo effect

Question 49

According to Attribution Theory, our attributions can:

Accepted Answer

Influence our emotions and behaviors.

Answer

Remain unaffected by our own beliefs and values.

Answer

Always be accurate.

Question 50

The tendency to generalize a person's behavior based on a limited observation or initial impression is referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error