4.1 - Attribution Theory and Person Perception

person perception

how we form impressions of ourselves/others, including attributions of behavior

_{^{(interpret/evaluate/judge others)}}

attribution theory

theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation _{^{(situational attribution)}} or the person’s stable/enduring traits _{^{(dispositional attribution)}}

fundamental attribution error

tendency for observers, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the situation’s impact and overestimate the impact of personal disposition

-actions from disposition _{^{(personal characteristics)}} > situation when see others // _{^{(more specific, abt others)}}

actor-observer bias

attribute my own behavior to external causes (situation)

attribute others’ behavior to internal causes (disposition)

_{^{[contributes to FAE] (focus on ourselves)}}

prejudice

an unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members

-involves negative emotions, stereotyped beliefs, and predisposition to discriminatory action

stereotype

a generalized^ belief about a group of ppl

_{^{^[sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized]}}

discrimination

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group or its members

just-world phenomenon

tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get

social identity

the “we” aspect of our self-concept from our group memberships

ingroup

“us” — people with whom we share a common identity

outgroup

“them” — those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup

ingroup bias

tendency to favor our own group

scapegoat theory

theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame

other-race effect

tendency to recall faces of one’s own race more accurately than faces of other races

_{^{[aka cross-race effect, own-race bias]}}

!!! prejudice can be implicit, ppl do not consciously intend to discriminate - quickly pair, reflexive bodily response

targets of prejudice: Black Americans, women, LGBTQ

prejudice can be from categorizing/heuristics + remembering vivid cases

pleasure from other’s failure 😈

us vs. them, solidarity (from groups)