Attribution theory was designed to account for which of the following aspects of human behavior?

• A. How memory is stored and retrieved in the brain
• B. How people develop language skills over time
• C. How genetic factors influence intelligence
• D. How people explain the causes of their own and others' behavior

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Attribution Theory is a psychological framework focused on how individuals interpret and explain the causes of behavior, both their own and that of others.
2. Recognize that the theory is not concerned with biological processes like memory storage, language development, or genetic influences on intelligence.
3. Identify that the core aspect of Attribution Theory involves the cognitive process of assigning causes to behaviors, which can be internal (dispositional) or external (situational).
4. Relate the theory to everyday examples where people try to make sense of why someone acted in a certain way, such as attributing success to effort or failure to external circumstances.
5. Conclude that Attribution Theory was designed specifically to explain how people understand and explain the causes behind behaviors, making it distinct from theories about memory, language, or genetics.