Which of the following best describes Self-Perception Theory?

Self-Perception Theory is rooted in the premise that individuals develop their attitudes and emotional responses by observing their own behaviors, especially in contexts where their internal feelings or attitudes are ambiguous. This theory suggests that when people are uncertain about their own beliefs or attitudes, they look at their behavior in a given situation to draw conclusions about what they think or feel.

For instance, if someone notices that they often help others, they might conclude that they have a positive attitude towards helping. This self-observation can lead to the formation or modification of their attitudes based on the actions they have taken. The emphasis is on the idea that instead of having pre-existing attitudes that dictate behavior, it is the behavior itself that can illuminate and shape attitudes.

The other choices refer to different concepts: changing attitudes through external rewards pertains more to cognitive dissonance and reinforcement theories; believing in fixed abilities relates to fixed versus growth mindset concepts; and inferring behavior from explicit instructions does not touch upon the self-reflective nature of Self-Perception Theory. By focusing on how individuals infer their attitudes from their behavior, the first choice encapsulates the essence of Self-Perception Theory effectively.