According to Attribution Theory, which factor is intrinsic and stable for a student when assessing their performance?

Attribution Theory, developed by psychologists such as Fritz Heider, focuses on how individuals interpret events and relate them to their own behavior. When evaluating a student's performance, intrinsic factors refer to internal characteristics that influence their outcomes.

The ability of a student is considered an intrinsic and stable factor because it reflects a person's inherent traits, such as intelligence or skill level, which are not easily changed over time. This stability implies that while students can work to improve their abilities, the core aspects of their abilities are relatively consistent throughout their educational journey.

In contrast, factors like effort and luck are more variable; effort can change depending on motivation or circumstances, while luck is dependent on external circumstances that are out of the student's control. The difficulty of the task is also an external factor that doesn't reflect the student's inherent qualities. Thus, understanding these distinctions is key to using Attribution Theory to help students gain insight into their performance and foster a growth mindset.