In behavior there are both dimensions of development and themes of development. Explain one of the dimensions of development and how it might apply to the above situation, and explain and give an example of one of the themes of development. (5 points)
8. a) Your friend tells you about a tragedy that happened in her life. Explain what a situational attribution and a personal attribution is, and talk about what would cause most people to make a situational attribution rather than a personal attribution in your friend's situation. (10 points)
b) Since the tragedy, your friend has lost interest in doing things that used to interest her, and she has been blaming herself for the tragedy. How might a psychologist determine if her struggle is mental illness? What type of disorder might she have? (10 points)

One dimension of development is the cognitive dimension, which involves the growth and changes in a person's mental processes and abilities. In the given situation, the cognitive dimension could apply as your friend processes and copes with the tragedy. This dimension encompasses how individuals perceive, think, and solve problems. For instance, your friend's ability to comprehend the events, adapt her thoughts, and eventually find meaning in the tragedy would be influenced by her cognitive development.

**Themes of Development:**

An example of a theme of development is resilience. Resilience involves the ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt positively to life's challenges. In the context of your friend's tragedy, her resilience might manifest in her capacity to navigate grief, find support, and gradually regain a sense of normalcy.

**8. b) Attribution in Psychology:**

- **Situational Attribution:** People tend to make situational attributions when they attribute someone's behavior to external factors or circumstances. In your friend's situation, a situational attribution might involve recognizing the external factors that contributed to the tragedy, leading to an understanding that her current state is a response to these external events.

- **Personal Attribution:** On the other hand, personal attribution involves attributing behavior to internal factors such as personality traits or characteristics. In your friend's case, making a personal attribution might involve viewing her response as an inherent aspect of her personality, potentially overlooking the external circumstances that influenced her current state.

**8. b) Mental Illness Evaluation:**

A psychologist might determine if your friend's struggle is a mental illness by assessing the duration, intensity, and impact of her symptoms. If her loss of interest and self-blame persist, interfering with her daily functioning, it may indicate a mental health concern. She might be experiencing symptoms of depression, a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and negative self-perceptions. A comprehensive evaluation would consider the severity and duration of her symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis and guide appropriate intervention.