Understanding Different Explanations of Behavior

Explaining Behavior through Attribution Theory

Assigning characteristics to behaviors: Assigning characteristics to these behaviors is a common way that we try to explain both our own and other people's conduct. An attribute is an assumption regarding the reason behind a behavior. The Attribution Theory states that we frequently attach characteristics to our own behavior as well as other people's behavior in order to understand it.

Social Facilitation and Social Interference:

It is concluded that social facilitation and social interference effects can exist even in the absence of other people. Problems with imitation, conformity, competition, helping, and violence are all clear indications of how others can affect a person's conduct.

The Big Five Personality Traits:

The Big Five personality traits are a proposed taxonomy, or grouping, for personality qualities that was created in psychological trait theory starting in the 1980s. These traits help in explaining our own behavior based on personality traits.

Therefore, we differentiate our explanation of strangers' behavior by considering situational constraints, while we explain our own behavior by attributing it to personality traits.