PSYCH 1F03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Fundamental Attribution Error, Rush Hour
Document Summary
You actively analyze a person"s behaviour to make inferences based on three variables: degree of choice, expectation, intended consequences (of the behaviour) If you knew he chose to be on this team, you may infer that he truly believed in his message. Such as looking like a caring corporate citizen, you wouldn"t be suspicious if your sister was advocating same position. Predicts how you would determine if a given behaviour is due to an individual"s personal disposition or the situation and circumstances. 3 variables are considered to determine if a behaviour is dispositional or situational: consistency. Does the individual usually behave this way in this situation: distinctiveness. When trying to interpret underlying cause in behaviour of others, you often overestimate the role of dispositional factors and underestimate the role of situational factors. Fundamental attribution error = tendency to over-value dispositional factors for the observed behaviours of others while under-valuing situational factors.