Attribution theory

The above factors influence perception, so there should be an explanation to some options we choose or to some behaviour. The Attribution Theory is concerned with how and why ordinary people explain events as they do.

Saul McLeod (2010) reflected on Attribution Theory. Some concepts are described below:

Attribution theory deals with how the social perceiver uses information to arrive at causal explanations for events. It examines what information is gathered and how it is combined to form a causal judgement. (Fiske and Taylor 1991, p.23)

Heider (1958) believed that people are naive psychologists trying to make sense of the social world. People tend to see cause and effect relationships even where there aren't any!

Example 4

Robert J. Sternberg (2011) proposes a simple problem that can be used for some reflection about how managers can deal with problem-solving:

Case study

A man wanted to enter an exclusive club but did not know the password that was required. He waited by the door and listened.

A club member knocked on the door and the doorman said, "twelve." The member replied, "six" and was let in.

A second member came to the door and the doorman said, "six." The member replied, "three" and was let in.

The man thought he had heard enough and walked up to the door. The doorman said, "ten" and the man replied, "five" but he was not let in.

What should have he said? Select the button below to reveal the answer.

Stop and think

Remember, Heider (1958) believed that people are naive psychologists trying to make sense of the social world. People tend to see cause and effect relationships even where there aren't any!

What happens in this case? If you provided the wrong answer, possibly the information you had was not enough to let you enter the club. In other words, you had a different perception about the right answers.