Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Fundamental attribution error

• Overestimating situational influences when evaluating the behavior of someone else.

• Underestimating situational influences when evaluating the behavior of someone else.

• Ignoring personal characteristics when assessing behavior.

• Assuming behavior is solely determined by personality traits.

Dispositional attributions

• Relate to internal qualities of others (such as intelligence or personality).

• Are based on external factors such as environment or situation.

• Refer to the influence of social norms on behavior.

• Involve the assessment of group dynamics.

Relative deprivation

• The feeling of satisfaction when people believe they have more than others.

• The feeling of dissatisfaction when people believe they are deprived of something they deserve, especially when comparing themselves to others who are perceived to be better off.

• The belief that one is entitled to more than they currently have, regardless of others' situations.

• The perception that one's situation is worse than it actually is, leading to feelings of hopelessness.

Self-serving bias

• Crediting your own successes to disposition, but attributing your own failures to situation.

• Believing that external factors are responsible for your successes.

• Attributing your failures to your own lack of effort or ability.

• Recognizing that both successes and failures are due to a combination of internal and external factors.

Situational attributions

• Relate to internal traits and characteristics.

• Relate to external circumstances that are experienced.

• Are based on personal beliefs and values.

• Are influenced by social norms and expectations.

Explanatory style

• A method of teaching that focuses on student-centered learning.

• How people explain good and bad events in their lives and in the lives of others. Explanatory style can be optimistic or pessimistic.

• A psychological theory that emphasizes the role of genetics in behavior.

• A style of communication that prioritizes clarity and brevity.

Social comparison

• A type of person perception that occurs when people evaluate themselves based on comparisons to other members of society or social circles.

• A method of evaluating one's self-worth based on material possessions.

• A psychological phenomenon where individuals seek validation from social media likes.

• A cognitive bias that leads to overestimating one's abilities compared to others.

Actor/observer bias

• A tendency to attribute other people's actions to their personality or character, while attributing one's own actions to external factors.

• A tendency to overestimate the influence of situational factors on one's own behavior.

• A tendency to underestimate the influence of personality traits on one's own behavior.

• A tendency to attribute success to external factors and failure to internal factors.

External locus of control

• The belief that hard work determines one's success.

• The belief that luck and external factors control one's fate.

• The belief that one's actions have no impact on outcomes.

• The belief that fate is predetermined and unchangeable.

Internal locus of control

• The belief that one can control their own fate.

• The belief that fate is determined by external forces.

• The belief that luck plays a significant role in life.

• The belief that success is solely due to hard work.