According to attribution theory, how do people typically assign responsibility for their successes and failures?

The correct answer is rooted in the fundamental principles of attribution theory, which explores how individuals interpret and explain causal relationships in their lives, particularly regarding their successes and failures. According to this theory, people often take pride in their achievements by attributing success to internal factors such as their skills, efforts, or abilities. This promotes a sense of self-efficacy and reinforces positive behavior, as acknowledging one's role in a positive outcome can enhance motivation and future performance.

Conversely, when faced with failure, individuals are more inclined to attribute the outcome to external factors, such as luck, the difficulty of the task, or the influence of others. This external attribution helps to protect their self-esteem and minimizes the perceived impact of their shortcomings. By deflecting the blame away from personal abilities or choices in the face of failure, individuals maintain a more positive self-image and reduce the likelihood of feeling demoralized or discouraged.

This distinction between how success and failure are attributed within the framework of attribution theory provides insightful understanding into human psychology and behavior. The tendency to assign success to internal factors and failure to external ones creates a cognitive pattern that can substantially influence personal development, resilience, and overall mental well-being.