Write a short note on covariation model of attribution.

The covariation model of attribution, proposed by psychologist Harold Kelley, offers a framework for understanding how individuals attribute the causes of behavior to internal dispositions versus external circumstances. According to this model, people make causal attributions based on three types of information: consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency.

Consensus refers to the extent to which others behave similarly in a given situation. If multiple people exhibit the same behavior in the same situation, there is high consensus. Distinctiveness relates to the extent to which the behavior is specific to a particular situation. If a behavior is unique to a specific situation, there is high distinctiveness. Consistency concerns the extent to which the behavior occurs repeatedly over time in similar situations. If the behavior consistently occurs in the same situation, there is high consistency.

Based on these three dimensions, individuals make attributions about whether a behavior is caused by internal dispositions (such as personality traits or abilities) or external circumstances (such as situational factors or luck). High consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency suggest an external attribution, indicating that the behavior is caused by situational factors. Conversely, low consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency suggest an internal attribution, indicating that the behavior is caused by personal traits or characteristics.

Overall, the covariation model emphasizes the importance of considering multiple sources of information when making attributions about the causes of behavior, highlighting the dynamic interplay between individual dispositions and situational factors in shaping social judgments and perceptions.