Final answer:
The covariation principle in social cognition is the analysis of behavior patterns across situations to determine their cause. It involves considering consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency to attribute behavior to internal or external causes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The covariation principle, in terms of social cognition, is the process of analyzing patterns of behavior across situations to determine the cause of that behavior. This principle suggests that when people observe someone's behavior, they look for consistency in that behavior across different situations. They consider three types of information: consensus (what others do in the same situation), distinctiveness (how the person's behavior varies across different situations), and consistency (how consistent the person's behavior is in a particular situation over time). By considering these three factors, individuals can attribute behavior to either internal (personality traits) or external (situational factors) causes.