Using the ongoing example then, the.

             observer will attribute the actor's behavior to internal, stable characteristics, such as being an aggressive driver. This is true even when other variables are introduced .

             that clearly indicate situational influences. If the observer spots a deer quickly running to the periphery of the road, he is still likely to attribute the actor's behavior as .

             a result of faulty driving skills.

             Attribution theory includes providing explanations for one's own behaviors. An individual who receives a failing grade on an examination may attribute this .

             outcome to several reasons, most of which will be situational. He may believe the teacher is incompetent, the examination obscure, or the textbook poorly written.

             This is an illustration of self-serving attributional bias which indicates 'a tendency to attribute successful outcomes to dispositional factors and unsuccessful outcomes.

             to situational factors' (Cardwell, 221). Self-serving attributional bias often helps an individual to rationalize an otherwise threatening situation. For example, if the .

             individual who did not pass the examination admitted that he does not understand the material, this will likely lead him to feel uncomfortable about his intelligence.

             or capabilities. To avoid this, he attributes the failure to circumstances beyond his control, which relieves his ego of admitting a personal incompetency. It is.

             interesting to note that humans usually view another's behavior as stemming from dispositional attributes, regardless of outcome or observable environmental .

             variables, but then conversely attribute their own behaviors to dispositional influences in times of success and situational influences when the outcome is negative.

             .

             Attribution theory has its origins in the 1950's with the pioneering work of Fritz Heider; his book The Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships was .

             instrumental in the development of this social psychology theory (Brown).