Jane's eight-year-old son brought a note home from school today stating that he was involved in a fight at recess. Which of the following is an example of an external attribution that Jane might make to explain her son's behavior?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Making an external attribution involves attributing behavior to external factors, such as the situation, environment, or other people. Option C suggests that the other child may have started the fight, which is an external factor that may have led to Jane's son's behavior. Options A, B, and D are all examples of internal attributions, which involve attributing behavior to internal factors, such as personality traits or abilities. For example, option A suggests that Jane's son's behavior is like his father's and therefore may be a part of his inherent character.

Jane's Eight-Year-Old Son Brought a Note Home from School Today