Social Perception and Attribution

Attribution theory

Attribution theory analyses how we explain people’s behaviour and what we infer from it. We sometimes attribute people’s behaviour to internal causes (for example, someone’s disposition or mental state) and sometimes to external causes (for example, something about the situation). 

Spontaneous trait inference

An effortless, automatic inference of a trait after exposure to someone’s behaviour.

The fundamental attribution error

The tendency for observers to underestimate situational influences and overestimate dispositional influences upon others’ behaviour.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillments.

Behavioural confirmation

A type of self-fulfilling prophecy whereby people’s social expectations lead them to behave in ways that cause others to confirm their expectations.

Types of attribution

(Dispositional) Attributions: Behaviour is due to internal traits, like someone being late because they are lazy.

(Situational) Attributions: Behaviour is due to external factors, like someone being late because of heavy traffic.