Attributional Processes: Attributing Behavior – Psychology & Sociology | Lecturio

Summary

This video explores the Attribution Theory, explaining how individuals attribute behavior to either internal factors (like personality) or external factors (like the situation). It delves into key biases like the Fundamental Attribution Error, Actor-Observer Bias, Self-Serving Bias, and the Halo Effect, showcasing how people often misjudge others’ actions and attribute their own actions differently. The video also touches on how physical appearance can influence perception, illustrating the complexities of human behavior and the cognitive biases that shape how we view ourselves and others.

Takeaways

• 😀 Attribution Theory explains how we interpret behaviors, either attributing them to internal (dispositional) or external (situational) causes.
• 😀 Dispositional attributions are based on internal factors like personality, mood, or attitude, while situational attributions focus on external factors beyond one's control.
• 😀 Consistency, distinctiveness, and consensus are key factors used to decide whether behavior is due to internal or external causes.
• 😀 Fundamental Attribution Error occurs when we incorrectly attribute someone's behavior to their personality, ignoring external situational factors.
• 😀 An example of the Fundamental Attribution Error is judging someone as rude for not greeting you, without considering they might be in a hurry or facing other challenges.
• 😀 Actor–Observer Bias refers to the tendency to blame our own actions on external situations, while attributing others' actions to their internal characteristics.
• 😀 An example of the Actor–Observer Bias is when you cut someone off while driving, but justify it with situational factors, while blaming the other driver’s behavior on their personality.
• 😀 Self-Serving Bias is when we attribute our successes to our own abilities and efforts, while blaming failures on external factors or others.
• 😀 The Halo Effect is when we make assumptions about someone's overall character based on one positive trait, like thinking someone is a great person because they’re nice at work.
• 😀 Physical appearance influences how others perceive us, as well-dressed or attractive individuals are often assumed to be more successful or competent, even without evidence.

Q & A

What is Attribution Theory?

Attribution Theory attempts to explain how individuals perceive and explain behaviors, either by attributing them to internal causes (like personality) or external causes (like the situation).

What are the two main types of attribution in Attribution Theory?

The two main types of attribution are dispositional attribution (internal causes such as personality, attitude, or mood) and situational attribution (external causes beyond the individual's control).

What role does consistency play in determining the cause of a behavior?

Consistency refers to whether a behavior is typical for an individual. If someone consistently behaves in a certain way, it is more likely to be attributed to their personality. If the behavior is unusual, situational factors might be considered.

What does distinctiveness refer to in Attribution Theory?

Distinctiveness is about whether the behavior is unique to the individual in a particular context or if they display similar behavior in other situations. A behavior that is specific to a certain person in a particular situation may be attributed to external factors.

How does consensus affect the attribution of behavior?

Consensus refers to whether other people around the individual are displaying the same behavior. If everyone is behaving similarly, the behavior is more likely attributed to external factors. If only the individual is behaving in that way, it may be attributed to their personality.

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error?

The Fundamental Attribution Error occurs when we incorrectly attribute someone else's behavior to their personality, while overlooking situational factors that may have influenced their actions.

What is an example of the Actor-Observer Bias?

An example of the Actor-Observer Bias is when you cut someone off while driving and justify it by saying it was due to the situation (narrow road), but when someone else cuts you off, you blame their personality (they are rude or inconsiderate).

What is the Self-Serving Bias?

The Self-Serving Bias refers to the tendency to attribute one's successes to internal factors (such as effort or intelligence) and one's failures to external factors (like other people or environmental issues).

How does the Halo Effect influence our judgments of others?

The Halo Effect occurs when we form a general judgment about a person based on one positive or negative trait. For example, if someone is kind to us, we might assume they are also a great parent or an overall good person.

How does physical appearance impact how others perceive us?

Physical appearance can significantly influence how others perceive us. Well-dressed individuals may be assumed to be successful or intelligent, while those dressed casually may not receive the same assumptions. Our appearance can lead people to attribute characteristics to us based on how we present ourselves.