Self-perception theory

Self-perception theory suggests that individuals come to understand and interpret their own attitudes and emotions by observing their own behavior and the context in which it occurs. This theory proposes that people do not have direct access to their own attitudes and emotions, but rather infer them by observing their own behaviors and the situational cues that may have influenced their behavior.

According to self-perception theory, individuals may not always have clear or consistent attitudes or emotions, and they may rely on their behavior and the context in which it occurs to understand how they truly feel. For example, if someone is observed singing along to a song, they may infer that they actually enjoy the song, even if they were previously unsure of their feelings towards it.

Overall, self-perception theory highlights the important role that observation of behavior and situational cues play in shaping how individuals perceive and understand their own attitudes and emotions. It suggests that individuals may not always have direct access to their own internal states, and instead rely on external cues and behaviors to make judgments about themselves.