Which of the following theories addresses the human need to explain why things happen in an attempt to gain control or increase predictability?

Motivation theory addresses the forces that initiate and direct behavior, but does not specifically focus on explaining why events occur.

Attribution theory, originally developed by Fritz Heider and expanded by others, focuses on how individuals interpret and assign causes to events - whether internal (personal effort, ability) or external (luck, task difficulty). This drive to explain 'why' things happen serves a psychological function of increasing perceived control and predictability over one's circumstances. It is distinct from general motivation theory in that it specifically centers on the cognitive process of causal explanation.

Transfer theory relates to how learning or skills acquired in one context are applied to another, not to explaining causes of events.

Retention theory pertains to how information is stored and maintained in memory over time, not to causal attribution.