 Correspondent inference theory

Correspondent Inference Theory is a psychological theory that seeks to explain how individuals make inferences about the causes of others' behavior. Proposed by Edward E. Jones and Keith Davis in the early 1960s, this theory is particularly focused on determining whether a person's actions correspond to their true intentions or dispositions. The theory posits that people use specific cues to infer whether someone’s behavior is indicative of their underlying personality traits or attitudes.