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Slide 2 Section B Slide 3 Definitions, examples, thesis Attributions- inferred causes of behavior Fundamental attribution error (Ross, 1977)-Behavior of others -internal, ignores external Self- serving bias-Own behavior-success-internal, failure-external Self- effacing bias Blaming the victim Actor-observer discrepancy Two of the most common attribution errors are the fundamental attribution error and the self-serving bias Slide 4 FAE- Ross (1977) Evidence Jones & Harris (1967) SSB- Evidence Lau & Russell (1980) or Johnson (1964) Limitations- not consistent across cultures Self-effacing Bias in some collectivist cultures Slide 5 Tendency to exaggerate the importance of dispositions and minimize situational if behavior is determined by personality, easier to predict future behavior We are cognitive misers- we dont spend more effort than necessary and often take mental shortcuts Evidence: Jones & Harris, 1967 American participants given essays either for or against the Castro government Choice condition and No-choice condition (assigned the writing) FAE made when people assumed dispositional attribution in the no choice condition Nothing could be concluded about the authors attitude in the no- choice condition. Slide 6 Tendency to attribute successful behavior to dispositional causes, but unsuccessful behavior to situational ones Maintains self-esteem (Miller, 1978) Self-enhancement, self-protection Evidence Johnson (1964)-students as teachers Lau and Russell (1980)-athletes and coaches attributed wins to internal factors, losses to external Slide 7 Limitations- cross-cultural variations Miller (1984)- FAE: asked Indian Hindus and Americans; describe a person committing a good or bad act Americans (Dispostion-40%, Situation-18%) Indian Hindus (Situation/social role-40%, Dispostion-18%) Kashima & Triandis (1986 )Self-effacing bias in collectivist cultures, especially Japan Studies lack ecological validity Slide 8 Summarize Re-state thesis