1. CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT?

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

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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?

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

22. 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?

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

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