Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Attribution Theory and Person Perception is topic 4.1 of AP Psychology, inside Social Psychology and Personality. This page works through three real practice questions on it, with the full reasoning behind each credited answer.

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43 questionsConcept Application100% with a figure
Worked examples

Three real attribution theory and person perception questions

From the practice pool, not the mock papers — each with the reasoning that produces the answer.

100% of them come with a figure. Reading the graph or diagram correctly is most of the work here before any content knowledge applies.

74% test a single AP skill: Concept Application. That makes this topic unusually predictable to prepare for.

Concept Application · with figure

A student sees a classmate arrive late once and concludes the classmate is irresponsible, even though a bus delay caused the lateness. Which social-cognitive error is most evident?

  1. AOveremphasizing a dispositional explanation while underusing situational information.correct
  2. BChanging an attitude to reduce tension after acting against a belief.
  3. CImproving memory because the test environment matches the study environment.
  4. DLearning a fear response through repeated pairing.
Why A is correct

The observer makes a dispositional attribution despite situational evidence.

dispositional attribution explains the evidence in "A student sees a classmate arrive late once and concludes the classmate is irresponsible, even though a bus...". The credited option, "Overemphasizing a dispositional explanation while underusing situational information", is supported because The judgment focuses on personality and neglects the bus delay. "Changing an attitude to reduce tension after acting against a belief" is a real-looking alternative, but Cognitive dissonance is not described; "Improving memory because the test environment matches the study environment" also fails because Context-dependent memory is unrelated to judging another person's lateness. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

Concept Application · with figure

A teacher sees one student trip in the hallway and immediately concludes the student is clumsy, without considering a wet floor. Which bias is shown?

  1. AFundamental attribution errorcorrect
  2. BBystander effect
  3. CMere exposure effect
  4. DReciprocal determinism
Why A is correct

The observer explains behavior as a trait while ignoring context.

fundamental attribution error explains the evidence in "A teacher sees one student trip in the hallway and immediately concludes the student is clumsy, without...". The credited option, "Fundamental attribution error", is supported because The observer overemphasizes a disposition and underemphasizes the situation. "Bystander effect" is a real-looking alternative, but No helping situation with multiple observers is described; "Mere exposure effect" also fails because No liking from repeated contact is involved. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

Concept Application · with figure

A coach says a player missed a shot because she lacks focus, while ignoring that the gym lights flickered during the shot. Which error is shown?

  1. ADispositional overattributioncorrect
  2. BSocial loafing
  3. CMere exposure
  4. DReciprocal determinism
Why A is correct

The coach gives a trait explanation despite a clear situational factor.

attribution error is the mechanism that makes "A coach says a player missed a shot because she lacks focus, while ignoring that the gym lights..." coherent. The credited option, "Dispositional overattribution", is supported because The coach overemphasizes an internal trait and underuses the situational cue. "Reciprocal determinism" is a real-looking alternative, but No mutual loop among person, behavior, and environment is central; "Social loafing" also fails because No reduced individual effort in a group task is described. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.

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Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Topic and unit names follow the College Board course framework. Question counts describe the PrepScore practice bank, not the exam.
Same unit
Psychology of Social Situations106 questionsAttitude Formation and Attitude Change70 questionsSocial-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality41 questionsPsychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality28 questions

Work attribution theory and person perception until the reasoning is automatic.

Real AP questions with a full explanation on every answer, and a mistake bank that only clears when you get it right.

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