Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Who proposed the dimensions of attribution theory?

1. Albert Bandura

2. Fritz Heider

3. Erik Erikson

4. Carl Rogers

The correct answer is: Fritz Heider

The individual who proposed the dimensions of attribution theory is Fritz Heider. Heider introduced the concept of attribution in his work during the 1950s, primarily focusing on how individuals interpret and explain their own behaviors as well as the behaviors of others. He is particularly well-known for distinguishing between internal and external attributions, which refer to whether a person's actions are attributed to personal characteristics or to situational factors. Heider's work laid the foundation for further developments in social psychology, influencing how researchers understand perception and the reasoning behind human behavior. This concept is fundamental in counseling and psychology, as it helps practitioners comprehend how individuals perceive challenges and successes in their lives. While Albert Bandura is known for his social learning theory, Erik Erikson is recognized for his stages of psychosocial development, and Carl Rogers is famous for his person-centered therapy, none of these theorists specifically shaped the dimensions of attribution theory as Heider did.