1. If a person is seen as having been forced into a situation, the cause of his/her behaviour is…

➤ Why do people often explain behaviour by external forces?
People use external explanations when context fits better than character. Observers may lack personal knowledge, notice clear situational cues, or wish to reduce blame. Social norms, stressors, and visible constraints push judgments toward situational causes. Cognitive patterns like the actor–observer effect also shape whether someone emphasizes external factors.