In which scenario would one likely make an external attribution?

Making an external attribution involves attributing someone's behavior to external factors or situations rather than to their personal characteristics or traits. In the scenario where a person's actions are inconsistent across situations, one is likely to recognize that the behavior may not stem from stable internal traits but rather from varying external circumstances affecting that individual.

For instance, if a person typically behaves in a socially engaging way but exhibits withdrawn behavior in a specific context—such as a stressful environment or among unfamiliar people—it's reasonable to conclude that the external situation, rather than an inherent personality trait, is influencing their actions. This aligns with the principles of situational influence in social psychology, where the context significantly alters behavior.

The other scenarios suggest conditions where internal attributions might be more readily applied, such as consistent behaviors suggesting stable traits or reactions that reflect personal responses to stress rather than external factors.