Attributional style

Attributional style refers to an individual’s habitual way of explaining the causes of positive and negative events in their lives[1][3][6]. Typically, it is categorized along three dimensions: whether causes are viewed as *internal* (due to oneself) or *external* (due to other people or circumstances), *stable* (permanent) or *unstable* (temporary), and *global* (affecting many areas of life) or *specific* (limited to a particular context)[1][2][4]. Certain patterns of attributional style, such as attributing negative events to internal, stable, and global causes, are associated with increased vulnerability to depression and other mental health issues[5][7][8]. Conversely, attributing positive events to internal, stable, and global causes is linked to psychological resilience and well-being[1][4]. Attributional style is assessed in psychology, often to inform therapy or interventions in depression and anxiety, but it is not a direct biological or molecular target. In summary, attributional style is a psychological framework for understanding cognitive explanations of events and is not a valid entry for molecular targeting in pharmacology or biomedicine[1][2][4][8].

Other names

Explanatory style