Final answer:
When developing an attribution, a person focuses primarily on the question "Why?" to understand the underlying causes of behavior and events, and to assess the impact of personal versus situational factors in driving outcomes. The correct option is (D).
Step-by-step explanation:
When developing an attribution, a person concentrates on the underlying causes of behavior and events, often assessing the role of personal or situational factors. The key question at the heart of attribution is "Why?". This question helps determine why something happened, understanding the reasons behind certain outcomes or actions.
For instance, in the quizmaster study, observers and contestants made an internal attribution for the quizmaster's performance, believing it was due to the quizmaster's intelligence, rather than situational factors like having crafted the questions, thereby demonstrating the fundamental attribution error.
By asking "Why?", researchers and students can delve deeper into the motivations and circumstances surrounding a subject of study. This question is critical for not only understanding the immediate factors but also for identifying broader implications and consequences, such as in a historical inquiry or when examining literary themes.
Overall, asking "Why?" allows for a comprehensive analysis and fosters critical thinking, which is essential in academic research and understanding complex scenarios.