4.2 social influence + perception

attribution theory

explains how people decide whether someone’s behavior is caused by personality or situation

dispositional attributions

assuming actions are due to personality

situational attributions

assuming actions are due to their circumstances

explanatory style

how a person explains reasons behind events- if they blame themselves or their circumstances

optimistic explanatory style

explaining good things usually happen, bad things come rarely

pessimistic explanatory style

explaining that good things rarely happen, bad things usually happen

fundamental attribution error

blaming others’ actions more on personality and not situation

actor-observer

blaming own actions on situation, and others’ actions on their personality

self-serving bias

attributing own success to personality and failure to situation

internal locus of control

belief that one’s own actions and decisions directly influence outcomes and events

external locus of control

belief that events are determined by external factors/fate

altruism

selfless concern for the well-being of others

social responsibility norm

expectation that we should help others who need assistance without future regard/any ulterior motive