Attributional Style in AP Psychology

Definition

Attributional style refers to an individual's tendency to explain the causes of events or behaviors, whether positive or negative, in a specific way. It involves attributing outcomes to either internal (personal) factors or external (situational) factors.

Related terms

Internal Locus of Control:

This refers to the belief that one has control over their own life and the outcomes they experience.

External Locus of Control: This refers to the belief that external forces or luck have control over one's life and the outcomes they experience.

Self-Serving Bias:

This is a cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors in order to protect their self-esteem.