Which of the following is an example of an internal attribution for failure?

The correct answer is: I failed the test because I didn't study enough.

Understanding Attribution Theory:
In psychology, Attribution Theory explains how individuals interpret the causes of events, behaviors, and outcomes (such as success or failure). Attributions are generally divided into two main categories based on the locus of control:

1. Internal Attribution (Dispositional Attribution):
An internal attribution occurs when an individual points to internal factors—such as personal effort, ability, mood, or behavior—as the primary reason for an outcome. Since the person takes personal responsibility for the result, causes like lack of preparation or effort fall squarely under internal attribution.

2. External Attribution (Situational Attribution):
An external attribution occurs when an outcome is blamed on environmental or situational factors beyond the individual's control, such as luck, difficulty of the task, teacher bias, or distractions caused by others.

Evaluating the Options:

• "I received a low grade because the teacher is a tough grader."
This attributes failure to the teacher's grading style (an external situational factor). Thus, it is an external attribution.

• "I failed the test because I didn't study enough."
This places the responsibility on one's own lack of preparation and effort (an internal factor within the individual's control). Therefore, this is a clear example of an internal attribution.

• "I didn't get good marks because the teacher was biased."
This blames unfair treatment or bias from an external source (the teacher). Thus, it is an external attribution.

• "I failed the test because my friends were distracting me."
This shifts the blame to external social factors (friends). Thus, it is an external attribution.

Conclusion:
Attributing a poor grade to not studying enough reflects personal accountability and effort, making it a classic example of an internal attribution for failure.