Ch 3: Social Beliefs & Judgments Part 2: Feb. 4, 2013
Attributions & Heuristics Attributions are judgments about reasons for events or behaviors Heuristics: mental shortcuts 1. Availability Heuristic: what is it? Example? Can lead to false consensus
2) Representativeness Heuristic: What is it? Example? 3) Counterfactual thinking:
Attributions Attribution = explanation about a behavior Heider – personal vs. situational Kelly’s Covariation Theory (an attribution theory): Attribute behavior to internal (person) or external (situation) based on 3 questions – 1. Consensus 2. Distinctiveness 3. Consistency
If low distinctiveness & low consensus, but high consistency, which attribution? Example? If high distinctiveness & high consensus, but low consistency, which attribution?
Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) Relevant to judging others’ behavior: When do we make an internal attribution? When do we make an external attribution? 2-step process: Example?