Explain others' behaviour through dispositional (internal) or 

situational (external) factors.

Tend to make internal attributions- stable reason.

To decide whether action was due to internal factors

1. Extent to which person had choice

2. Whether behaviour was expected

3. Intended consequences of B.

Cognitive bias when deciding responsability for an event/action.

*Helps maintain positive self esteem

-Fundamental attribution bias: observers- internal attributions

-actors- external attributions

*Due to: availability of info/ perspective

Attribution to enhace/protect S.E.

• illusion of control
• false consensus (to excuse mistakes)
• false uniqueness effect (to enhance accomplishments)
• Accomplishments-internal Mistakes- external
• Belief in a jusr world- people get what they deserve

• Self-reference effect
• Self-schemas: influence what we notice, think and remember about self
• Self regulates choice, future plans and behaviour