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Related Concept Videos

Need for Self-Esteem01:27

Need for Self-Esteem

The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
Fundamental Attribution Error01:14

Fundamental Attribution Error

According to some social psychologists, people tend to overemphasize internal factors as explanations—or attributions—for the behavior of other people. They tend to assume that the behavior of another person is a trait of that person, and to underestimate the power of the situation on the behavior of others. They tend to fail to recognize when the behavior of another is due to situational variables, and thus to the person’s state. This erroneous assumption is called the fundamental attribution...
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In social interactions, individuals frequently seek to understand the motivations and causes behind others' behaviors. This fundamental aspect of social perception, known as attribution, plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal relationships and guiding future actions. Attribution refers to the cognitive process through which people infer the reasons behind others' behaviors, allowing them to assess character traits, intentions, and situational influences.Attribution Theory and Its...
Attribution Theory00:56

Attribution Theory

Behavior is a product of both the situation (e.g., cultural influences, social roles, and the presence of bystanders) and of the person (e.g., personality characteristics). Subfields of psychology tend to focus on one influence or behavior over others. Situationism is the view that our behavior and actions are determined by our immediate environment and surroundings. In contrast, dispositionism holds that our behavior is determined by internal factors (Heider, 1958). An internal factor is an...
Importance of Need for Affiliation01:25

Importance of Need for Affiliation

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

The need to explain.

Sangeet S Khemlani1, Philip N Johnson-Laird

  • 1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. khemlani@princeton.edu

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)
|August 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

People resolve inconsistencies by explaining their origins, not just by revising beliefs. Explanations are seen as more probable than simple refutations, suggesting explanation is a primary cognitive goal.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Decision Making
  • Belief Revision

Background:

  • Traditional views suggest minimal belief revision resolves inconsistencies.
  • This study explores an alternative: explaining the inconsistency's origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that individuals prioritize explaining inconsistencies over refuting them.
  • To investigate whether explanations are perceived as more probable than refutations.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study demonstrated spontaneous explanation of inconsistencies.
  • Three experiments involved participants comparing explanations against minimal refutations.
  • Methods included probability judgments, ranking, and estimation.

Main Results:

  • Participants consistently rated explanations as more probable than refutations.
  • Pilot study confirmed spontaneous explanation generation.

Conclusions:

  • Individuals prioritize creating explanations for inconsistencies.
  • Belief revision is a secondary effect of the primary goal of explanation.