In attribution theory, what does Unstable imply about a behavior?

• A. Unstable
• B. Internal
• C. External
• D. Stable

Answer: (A)

Unstable means the reason behind the behavior is temporary and likely to change over time or across different situations. It points to fluctuating factors—like a momentary mood, a one-time event, or a situational pressure—rather than a trait that would consistently produce the same behavior. Because the cause isn’t stable, you’d expect the behavior to vary on another day or in a different context. The idea of stability is about persistence, while where the cause sits (internal or external) is a separate dimension. For example, doing well on a test because you were unusually rested is an unstable factor—it's not something you can count on every time.