H&S PBL 2 - Attributions

How are first impressions formed?

By filling in gaps using cues like words, facial expressions, body language, voice, and situational context.

Trait negativity bias

The tendency for negative traits and impressions to have a stronger impact due to evolutionary danger.

Primacy effect

The tendency for information learned first about someone to have a lasting impact on perception.

Jones's Correspondent Inference Theory

Theory predicting that people infer whether an action reflects an enduring trait based on choice, expectancy, and effect.

Kelley's Covariation Theory

Attributes behavior to potential causes present when the behavior occurs and absent when it does not.

Consensus (Kelley's Covariation Theory)

How different people react to the same stimulus.

Distinctiveness (Kelley's Covariation Theory)

How the same person reacts to different stimuli.

Consistency (Kelley's Covariation Theory)

Whether a person reacts the same way to a stimulus at different times.

Impact of low consistency in attributions

Indicates temporary circumstances, preventing clear personal or situational attributions.

Individualistic vs. Collectivistic attributions

Western/individualistic cultures emphasize personal causes; collectivistic cultures emphasize situational causes.

Social class influence on attributions

Higher social class leads to making more personal rather than situational attributions.

Cognitive heuristics

Speedy rules of thumb used in thinking that are efficient but prone to errors.

Base rate fallacy

Ignoring statistical probabilities in favor of graphic, memorable stories.

False consensus effect

Overestimating the degree to which others share your opinions, traits, and behaviors.

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Underestimating situational causes and overestimating personal traits when explaining others' behavior.

Counterfactual thinking

Imagining alternative outcomes that could have happened, evoking regret or gratitude.

Belief in a Just World

The assumption that the world is fair and people get what they deserve.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

When an expectation leads to behaviors that cause the expectation to come true.

Confirmation bias

Seeking out and interpreting information to verify pre-existing beliefs.

Confirmatory hypothesis testing

Asking specific questions designed to elicit answers that confirm existing expectations.

Hyper-personal model

Filling in unknown gaps about others positively, increasing attraction based on perceived similarity.

System 1 vs. System 2 in impression formation

System 1 makes rapid snap judgments; System 2 slower, deliberative thinking to adjust impressions.