In the context of attribution theory, what factors help explain human behavior?

In attribution theory, understanding human behavior involves distinguishing between internal and external factors. Internal factors pertain to personal characteristics such as beliefs, traits, and attitudes that originate within the individual. For example, when someone succeeds, their internal attribution may recognize their intelligence or hard work.

On the other hand, external factors relate to situational influences that are outside an individual's control, such as environmental conditions or social context. When attributing a behavior to external factors, someone might consider how stress from a challenging situation influenced a person’s actions.

The interplay of these internal and external factors helps explain why individuals behave in certain ways in different contexts, revealing that their actions are influenced by both personal characteristics and situational circumstances. This dual perspective is essential in understanding the complexity of human behavior within the framework of attribution theory.