CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT?

Bell Ringer—take out a sheet of paper What do you think SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY is? Give me a definition/example or two

Today Define/Identify attribution theory You will be taking notes so please have paper/pen out! (it’s back to psychology class we go!!)

Here's a game to grow your brain by challenging culturally wired assumptions. CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT? is based on assumptions, judgments, and our tendency to hold onto our first conclusion about a situation rather than testing for alternative explanations.

This is how we'll play. I'll give you an observation in the form of a statement. You think of an explanation for it. Write your explanation on your paper.

Observation #1:  A married woman goes to a single man's apartment two nights of every week for three hours. What's your explanation?

Observation #2:  Two police officers visit your next-door neighbor's house. What's your explanation?

Observation 3: A person smelling of stale liquor is buying aspirin at 6 a.m. What's your explanation?

Observation 4: You see a man chasing a woman down an alley. What is your explanation?

Observation 5: A teenager carrying a heavy backpack runs out the door of a convenience store. What's your explanation?

How did you answer? Award yourself the points most closely associated with your answer.

If your answer was similar to... Observation 1: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The two are having an affair. 0 points She is his cleaner. 1 point She is his mother and is caring for him while he is sick. 2 points He is a music teacher and she goes there for piano lessons. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 2: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The police officers are questioning your neighbors about some dreadful crime they have committed. 0 points The police officers are visiting the house because the neighbors are their friends. 1 point The neighbors are, themselves, police officers. 2 points The police officers are asking questions about YOU! 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 3: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The person was out partying all night and has a headache as a result. 0 points The person is buying aspirin for their partner who has the flu. 1 point The person works in Johnny's Blues Bar and has just finished the late shift. 2 points The person spilled a bottle of rum when trying to reach the breakfast cereal bumped their head on the open cupboard and are looking for a remedy. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 4: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... You are witnessing a case of domestic violence. 0 points She is a shoplifter; he is a plain-clothes officer. 1 point They are trying to catch their dog. 2 points The two are practicing for a marathon. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 5: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The teenager just robbed the store. 0 points The teenager is late for class. 1 point The teenager is a track star and runs everywhere. 2 points The store is on fire. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

How did you score? Reflection What does your score say about your thinking? How creative was your thinking? Let’s do a couple more but this time try and create an explanation that is more extreme

Attribution Theory Attribution theory – the causal explanations that people make about someone’s behavior Situational – other people, luck, money, pressure, circumstances, environment The person’s disposition – personality, wishes, ability, effort, intestinal fortitude

Fundamental Attribution Error Fundamental attribution error – the tendency to overestimate the influence of personal disposition and underestimate the influence of the situation on someone’s behavior

Observation 6: Last week a mechanic fixed the vibration in your car's front end. Now you feel the vibration again. What's your explanation?

Observation 7: Your boss and the director of personnel are moving boxes out of your friend's office. What's your explanation?

Observation 8: You are driving down the street when a car in a side driveway suddenly cuts in front of you. What's your explanation?

If your answer was similar to... Observation 6: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The mechanic did a poor job. 0 points You recently drove through wet, muddy roads and mud is now caked onto the suspension system. 1 point You are driving over those bumpy warning strips in the road. 2 points Your teenager damaged the tires while learning to parallel park. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 7: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... Your friend just got fired. 0 points Your friend got a promotion and is moving to another part of the building. 1 point Your boss has decided not to keep company documents in your friend's office any longer. 2 points The boxes should have been delivered to the personnel director's office. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

If your answer was similar to... Observation 8: If your answer was similar to... Give yourself ... The driver is an aggressive, rage-filled road warrior. 0 points The sun was in the driver's eyes so they didn't see you. 1 point The driver is inexperienced using a clutch. 2 points The car was hit from behind and was pushed into your lane. 3 points (Any answer that is more creative.) 4 points

Homework Identify and list five examples (not already mentioned) that describes Fundamental Attribution Error.