3750:100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Stanford Prison Experiment, Fundamental Attribution Error
Document Summary
How we think about, in uence, and relate to one another. How de we become more compassionate? attribution theory- we give a causal explanation for an individual"s behavior. The situation (external attributes) fundamental attribution error- overestimate the in uence of personality, underestimate the in uence of the situation. How we explain someone"s behavior affects how we respond to it. Following the outright commands of someones in position of authority. Recruited participants for study on the effects of punishment on learning . Learner was the confederate, teacher was the participant. Shocks ranged from 15-450 volts; slight shock - xxx . Psychiatrists predicted < 1% would go all the way to most severe shock results: 65% administered xxx. Prisoners: powerless role results: attitude shift during roles guards- degrading, dehumanizing prisoners- broke down. Given certain situations, normal people are capable of terrible things. Authority gure is close by and was perceived to be legitimate. Teacher and learner (victim) are at a distance.
