Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

Attribution Theory is mainly concerned with which aspect of behavior?

1. Social influence

2. Performance evaluation

3. Understanding motives and causes

4. Feedback reception

The correct answer is: Understanding motives and causes

Attribution Theory primarily focuses on how individuals interpret and understand the motives and causes behind their own behavior as well as the behavior of others. It seeks to explain how people assign reasons for actions—whether they attribute outcomes to internal factors (like personal characteristics or efforts) or to external factors (like situational influences). This theory helps in clarifying why people think the way they do about their own successes and failures, or about the successes and failures of those around them. In various contexts, understanding these motives and causes can significantly impact social interactions, motivation levels, and personal relationships. By grasping what drives behaviors, individuals can foster better communication and engagement within teams or organizations, which is a critical aspect of successful leadership and management. The other options, while related to behavior in different ways, do not encapsulate the core focus of Attribution Theory as effectively. Social influence deals more with how individuals are affected by others, performance evaluation is about judging effectiveness based on outcomes, and feedback reception refers to how individuals respond to input regarding their performance, none of which directly target the analysis of motives and causes behind behaviors.