4.1 Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Unit 4: Social and Personality

Module 4.1: Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Learning Targets

• LT 4.1-1: Describe person perception and explain how we explain others’ behavior and our own.

• LT 4.1-2: Explain how social comparison influences our perception of ourselves and others.

• LT 4.1-3: Describe prejudice and explain how explicit and implicit prejudice differ.

• LT 4.1-4: Explain the group distinctions that tend to elicit prejudice.

• LT 4.1-5: Explain the social, emotional, and cognitive roots of prejudice.

Person Perception

• Definition: Formation of impressions of ourselves and others, involving behavior attributions.

• Attribution Theory: Explains behavior either through situational factors (situational attribution) or personal traits (dispositional attribution).

  • Situational Attribution: Explaining behavior based on the context or environment.

  • Dispositional Attribution: Explaining behavior based on stable personal characteristics.

• Fundamental Attribution Error: Tendency to undervalue situational influences and overvalue personal traits when evaluating others' behaviors.

• Actor-Observer Bias: Different attributions for own behaviors versus others’ behaviors (self-attributed to situation, others attributed to disposition).

Social Comparison

• Definition: Comparing ourselves to others can influence our self-esteem.

• Positive vs. Negative Impacts: Can boost self-esteem when successful; can lead to decreased self-worth when failing.

• Role of Social Media: Provides platforms for comparisons that can diminish feelings of attractiveness and success due to unrealistic portrayals.

Prejudice and Discrimination

• Prejudice: Unjustifiable attitudes towards a group based on stereotypes and negative emotions.

• Stereotype: Generalized beliefs about a group, which may be accurate but often lead to overgeneralization.

• Discrimination: Unjustifiable negative actions against a group or its members consisting of two main types:

  • Blatant: Overt negative behaviors targeting specific groups.

  • Subtle: Includes microaggressions, indirect forms of discrimination.

• Explicit vs. Implicit Prejudice:

  • Explicit Prejudice: Aware prejudice, conscious attitudes expressed either verbally or through actions.

  • Implicit Prejudice: Unconscious biases that can influence behavior and perceptions without awareness.

Social Identity and Group Dynamics

• Social Identity: The part of self-concept derived from group membership.

• Ingroup vs. Outgroup:

  • Ingroup: The group we identify with and view positively.

  • Outgroup: Those perceived as different, often viewed negatively (outgroup bias).

  • Ingroup Bias: Favoring one’s own group can lead to discrimination against outsiders.

• Just-World Phenomenon: Belief that the world is just, leading to victim-blaming (e.g., blaming people for poverty or crime).

  • Can perpetuate societal inequities as those in privilege justify their status based on perceived merit.

Roots of Prejudice

• Cognitive Roots: Prejudice can stem from simplified categorical thinking; our brain's need to organize information into groups leading to stereotyping.

• Social Roots: Divisions into groups can foster solidarity but also lead to in-group bias and prejudice.

• Emotional Roots: Fear, uncertainty, and frustration can increase ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination. - Scapegoat Theory: Prejudice serves as an outlet for frustration, leading to blaming of outgroups during societal stress.

• Other-Race Effect: Greater difficulty in recognizing and distinguishing between faces of other races, contributing to gentle racism and microaggressions.

Modern Impacts of Prejudice

• Consequences: Subtle and explicit prejudice has real-world effects on marginalized groups, such as differential treatment in healthcare, employment, and social situations.

• Gender Prejudice: Despite reductions in overt acts, issues like wage gaps, hiring inequalities, and leadership representation persist, showcasing the ongoing biases.

• LGBTQ Prejudice: Varying degrees of acceptance globally; legal protections often lack behind societal attitudes leading to discrimination and mental health impacts.

Summary

Understanding the complexities of person perception, prejudice, and social dynamics is crucial for addressing bias and fostering a more equitable society. By acknowledging the psychological roots of our reactions, we can work to mitigate inaccurate beliefs and promote understanding across diverse groups.

Study Recommendations

• Review key definitions of attribution theory, fundamental attribution error, and types of bias.

• Reflect on personal experiences of social comparison and how it has impacted self-perception.

• Analyze case studies related to implicit versus explicit prejudice in the context of contemporary societal issues, including but not limited to gender, race, and LGBTQ dynamics.

• Prepare examples and discussions around scapegoating and the just-world phenomenon to understand their implications.