Attributions

Question 1

What are attributions

Answer 1

Explanations we make to understand why people behave the way they do

Question 2

Internal and external attributions

Answer 2

Internal: behavior due to personal traits
External: behavior due to environment

Question 3

Stable versus unstable attributions

Answer 3

Stable: cause is unchanged
Unstable: cause is changed

Question 4

Controllable versus uncontrollable

Answer 4

Controllable: person can influence outcome
Uncontrollable: person can’t

Question 5

Jones and Davis
Correspondent inference theory

Answer 5

Infer traits from behavior when behavior is FREELY chosen, unique effect or unexpected

Question 6

Correspondence bias/ fundamental attribution error

Answer 6

Tendency to over attribute behavior to personality

Question 7

Kelley’s covariation model

Answer 7

3 dimensions
- consensus: do others believe similarly
- distinctiveness
- consistency

Question 8

Influences on attribution

Answer 8

• silence and accessibility (primed or recently activated concepts influence interpretation)
• moods expectations and emotions

Question 9

Attributions biases

Answer 9

• Fundamental attribution error
• actor observer effect
• discounting principle