attribution
Crediting the source
Attribution is the act of assigning a cause, source, or origin to something.
In academic and creative contexts, it means crediting a work or idea to its creator: The painting's attribution to Vermeer remains disputed.
In psychology, attribution theory examines how people explain behavior—whether they attribute actions to character or circumstance.
Online, attribution often refers to citing sources or linking to original creators: The image was used without proper attribution.
Recognition or payment deferral
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- thanksExpression of appreciation
- gratitudeThankfulness for kindness received
- appreciationRecognition of worth
homage · shout-out · nod · byline · mention · namecheck · dedication · salute
Directing attention elsewhere
- footnoteCitation at page bottom
- bibliographyList of cited works
- quotationCited passage or price
- sourcePoint of origin
annotation · cross-reference · endnote · documentation · scholarly · academic · citing · quoted
What produces an effect
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- explanationStatement making something clear
reason · factor · determinant · assignation · imputation · ascription · fault · liability
Creator of written works
- creatorOne who produces something
- originatorOne who initiates
- ghostwriterUncredited hired author
- coauthorJoint creator of text
collaborator · byline · pen name · pseudonym · anonymous · credited · uncredited · misattributed
Descriptive information about content
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- Creative CommonsNonprofit providing sharing licenses
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
licensing · embed · link · backlink · trackback · analytics · tracking · pixel
Obtaining from suppliers
- anonymous sourceUnidentified person providing information
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
- verificationProving something accurate
- fact-checkingConfirming accuracy of claims
correction · retraction · plagiarism · fabrication · editorial · byline · photo credit · wire service
Reason for action
- intentionPlanned purpose for acting
- beliefTrust held as true
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
perception · interpretation · bias · self-serving · dispositional · situational · cognitive · social
credit
Recognition or payment deferral
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- thanksExpression of appreciation
- gratitudeThankfulness for kindness received
appreciation · homage · shout-out · nod · byline · mention · namecheck · dedication · salute · honoring
reference
Directing attention elsewhere
- footnoteCitation at page bottom
- bibliographyList of cited works
- quotationCited passage or price
source · annotation · cross-reference · endnote · documentation · scholarly · academic · citing · quoted · referenced
cause
What produces an effect
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
explanation · reason · factor · determinant · assignation · imputation · ascription · fault · liability · culpability
author
Creator of written works
- creatorOne who produces something
- originatorOne who initiates
- ghostwriterUncredited hired author
coauthor · collaborator · byline · pen name · pseudonym · anonymous · credited · uncredited · misattributed · disputed
metadata
Descriptive information about content
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- Creative CommonsNonprofit providing sharing licenses
copyright · licensing · embed · link · backlink · trackback · analytics · tracking · pixel · fingerprinting
sourcing
Obtaining from suppliers
- anonymous sourceUnidentified person providing information
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
- verificationProving something accurate
fact-checking · correction · retraction · plagiarism · fabrication · editorial · byline · photo credit · wire service · syndication
motive
Reason for action
- intentionPlanned purpose for acting
- beliefTrust held as true
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
judgment · perception · interpretation · bias · self-serving · dispositional · situational · cognitive · social · behavioral
- arts lawart fraud, fair use, intellectual property, looted art, restitution claims
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
- Blameblame, fault, culprit, accusation, guilt-tripping
- student mediastudent newspaper, school newspaper, campus paper, school paper, student press
- art historyart history, Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism, modern art
attributionanonymity
Unknown identity state
uncredited · anonymous · plagiarism · unacknowledged · namelessness
attributionrandomness
Lack of predictable pattern
chance · disavowal · disclaimer · coincidence · denial
attributionpublic domain
Unprotected creative works
communal ownership · open source · renunciation · Creative Commons
- false attributionWrongly assigned origin
- attribution theoryHow we explain behavior
- without attribution
attribution theory, attributing, attributive, attributions, misattribution