Dan likes his new roommate, Tim. He invites Tim to go everywhere with him-parties, lunch, even to the grocery store. Dan feels he's being warm and welcoming to his new friend. Tim, however, doesn't understand why it seems that Dan can't do anything on his own, and seems to need his companionship constantly. The difference in how Dan and Tim perceive Dan's actions is an illustration of __________ in explaining social behavior.

Question

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Dan and Tim's different perceptions of their interactions can be attributed to their individual construals, or interpretations, of the situation. Dan may see his constant invitations as a way of being friendly and welcoming, while Tim may construe it as Dan being overly needy and dependent on his companionship. This illustrates how people's individual interpretations of a situation can influence their understanding of social behavior.

Dan Likes His New Roommate, Tim