Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
External factors are influences that come from outside an individual and affect their behavior. These can include environmental conditions, societal norms, cultural expectations, and social pressures.
Related terms
Situational attribution: This term describes explaining someone's behavior based on external circumstances rather than internal characteristics.
Social norms: These are unwritten rules within a society that dictate acceptable behaviors in different situations.