What is an example of a situational attribution?

Situational attribution refers to the process of explaining an individual's behavior by considering external factors, such as the environment or situational context, rather than internal characteristics or traits. The correct answer highlights how external pressures can influence an individual's performance. For example, if someone experiences stress or anxiety from external circumstances, such as a tight deadline or a challenging audience, they might attribute their recent failure to these external pressures rather than to any lack of ability.

In contrast, other options focus on internal factors. For instance, attributing a poor performance to a lack of effort or crediting success to personal skill emphasizes personal characteristics, while assuming luck determined the outcome doesn’t directly address situational aspects influencing behavior. Thus, the essence of situational attribution is captured in the choice that identifies external pressures as the cause for failure.