PSYC-1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 42: Fundamental Attribution Error, Laziness, Williams College
13 Sep 2018
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Attribution: a conclusion about the cause of an observed behaviour/event. Fundamental attribution error : when we go to far in assuming that a person"s behaviour is caused by their personality. We make this error even when we are given the correct facts. In a study at williams college, a women was paid and told to act friendly to some students, and unfriendly to others. The students felt that her behaviour was part of her disposition, even when they were told that she was just obeying instructions. Especially when you observe negative or nasty or hostile or angry or stupid behaviour: if a disp. Attribution -> unfavourable, negative reaction; strong ad enduring. Attribution --> favorable, kinder, more tolerant, more understanding. Social thinking: self vs. other: when we explain our own behaviour, we partly reverse the fundamental attribution error; we tend to blame the situation for our failures (although we take personal credit for our success)
