Final answer:
The process by which causes or motives are assigned to explain people's behavior is called attribution, a key concept in social psychology that helps interpret behaviors in various contexts, including the actor-observer bias and cognitive dissonance phenomena.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which causes or motives are assigned to explain people's behavior is called attribution. This concept is crucial in understanding how we perceive and interpret the behaviors of others as well as our own. For example, the actor-observer bias suggests that we tend to attribute our own actions to situational factors, while we attribute others' actions to their dispositions. Social psychologists also study how the desire for consistency in one's beliefs and actions can lead to cognitive dissonance, a state of tension that occurs when our actions do not reflect our values or perceptions. To alleviate this discomfort, people might change their attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs. Furthermore, in group dynamics, conformity, compliance, and obedience can powerfully influence individuals' behaviors, reflecting the impact of situational factors in social psychology.