1. Attributions and Biases:
EQ: What are Attributions and Biases and how can they lead us to make errors in how we view ourselves or others?

2. Background:
Most of us have been taught from when we were little not to judge a book by its cover
This, however, can be difficult because we have experiences and memories that get in the way
Sometimes, attributions and biases get in the way of us taking an objective look at others

3. Attributions:
The process of explaining the causes of people’s behavior, even one’s own.
This is a normal behavior, but we must be in tune with what we and other people are thinking
Thinking determines behavior in some cases
If we mistake a person’s thinking, we can make errors

4. Fundamental Attribution Error:
A bias toward over attributing the behavior of others to internal causes
If, for example, a person is somewhat disrespectful towards us, we often will internalize it instead of realizing it has nothing to do with us

5. Actor-Observer Bias:
The tendency to attribute other people’s behaviors to internal causes and attributing our own behavior to external causes
It can be difficult for us to admit when we make a mistake
It can also be difficult for us to accept that others also make mistakes, especially when emotions become involved

6. Self-Serving Bias:
The tendency to attribute one’s success to internal characteristics while blaming one’s failures to external causes
We need to remember that we cannot do it all ourselves
We also need to remember that we all need help from time to time

7. Attitude:
A predisposition toward a particular cognitive, emotional, or behavioral reaction to objects
If, for example, we dislike Fordraris, when our friend gets a new Fordrari, we may have a difficult time accepting that it is a nice car

8. Cognitive Dissonance:
A theory asserting that attitude change is driven by efforts to reduce tensions caused by inconsistencies between attitudes and behaviors
EX: Candy is bad for you and can cause obesity. I am obese, but not because of candy. Therefore it must not be the candy that is making me obese, it is stress

9. Stereotypes:
False assumptions that all members of a group share the same characteristics
EX: There are many African-Americans in the NBA. My buddy James is African American. He must be a true “baller”!!!

10. Prejudice and Discrimination:
A positive or negative attitude toward an entire group of people
Differential treatment toward a group of people, the behavioral aspect of prejudice

11. Contact Hypothesis:
The idea that stereotypes and prejudice will be reduced with contact with that group of people