Chapter 18: Problem 1

Explain the errors people sometimes make when using shortcuts to attribute behavior.

Short Answer

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Shortcut errors in attributing behavior include the fundamental attribution error, actor-observer bias, and self-serving bias. These shortcuts, despite making attribution easier, often lead to biased and incorrect judgments, like blaming an individual's behavior on their character without considering situational factors.

Step by step solution

Understanding Attribution

Attribution is a process of interpreting and explaining behaviors. Essentially, it is how we understand and assess others' behavior.

Introduction to Shortcuts in Attribution

In our daily lives, we don't always have the time or resources to thoroughly analyze everyone's behavior. As a result, we often take shortcuts in our attributions, simplifying the complex process of attribution. These shortcuts include the fundamental attribution error, actor-observer bias, and self-serving bias.

Explaining the Fundamental Attribution Error

This is one of the most common shortcuts. The fundamental attribution error is the tendency for observers to overestimate personality-based explanations for behaviors observed in others while underestimating the role and power of situational influences on the same behavior.

Defining Actor-observer Bias

Actor-observer bias is another shortcut where an individual attributes their actions to situational factors but associate others' actions to their character.

Discussing Self-Serving Bias

Self-serving bias is a common shortcut where individuals attribute their success to personal characteristics and failures to environmental circumstances.

Highlighting the Errors in Attribution Shortcuts

While these shortcuts make the complex process of attribution simpler, they often lead to biased and incorrect judgments. For example, blaming an individual's character for their behavior in a particular situation disregards how the situation influenced their actions. This error could lead to unfair judgments and stereotypes.

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Explain the errors people sometimes make when using shortcuts to attribute behavior.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Attribution

Introduction to Shortcuts in Attribution

Explaining the Fundamental Attribution Error

Defining Actor-observer Bias

Discussing Self-Serving Bias

Highlighting the Errors in Attribution Shortcuts

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