Definition of attribution theory in US English:
attribution theory
nounˌatrəˈbyo͞oSHən ˌTHēərē
Psychology A theory that supposes that one attempts to understand the behavior of others by attributing feelings, beliefs, and intentions to them.
Example sentencesExamples
- However, attribution theory could be used again to supply an alternative explanation: the incumbent may have claimed more of the credit than he or she may have been entitled to.
- As we know from attribution theory, there is a tendency to focus on the person, not the situation, as the cause of events.
- We also discuss the role of attribution theory in understanding the marital distress of these couples.
- This version of attribution theory has been successfully applied to a range of children and adolescents.
- Models of learning from a single experience of an outcome have been adapted from attribution theory.