that they make about things are generally influenced by the consistency of the actorÆs behavior, the distinctiveness with which the actor performs, and the consensus of other actors in performing the same behavior with the same object (Brown).
For example, if a neighbor observes a child playing with his ball every day for many months, he may make the attribution that ôJoey likes playing with his ball;ö that attribution is based on consistency. If the neighbor notices that Joey throws his ball higher than any other child on the block, he may either deduce that ôJoey is a better thrower,ö this attribution being based on the distinctiveness with which Joey throws the ball. If the neighbor sees that every child on the block who throws JoeyÆs ball throws it higher than they throw their own balls, he is likely to make the attribution that ôJoeyÆs ball is not as heavy;ö this attribution is based on consensus.
Another facet to attribution theory is that another personÆs intentions and personal dispositionsùsuch as personality traits and attitudesùcan be inferred from someoneÆs behavior (Brown). For example, if someone performs a kindly act, the quality of kindness is likely to be attributed to him (Brown). These attributions may or may not be accurate; HeiderÆs theory merely explains how people arrive at them.
There are both internal and external attributions. Internal attributions are those where the causality for a personÆs actions are perceived to be within him, such as personality traits or native intelligence (ôAttribution Theoryö). External or situational attributions are those where the causality for a personÆs actions are perceived to be outside himself, such as the influence of the weather on him, or his being a member of a dysfunctional family (ôAttribution Theoryö). Any number of attributions can be made about a person who engages in a particular action. For example, if the pitcher drops the bal...