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Print/export Download as PDF ... Chart describing the fundamental attribution error, with an example. In social psychology, ... The hypothesis was confounded by the ...
In psychology, an attribution bias or attributional errors is a cognitive bias that refers to the systematic errors made when people evaluate or try to find reasons for their own and others' behaviors.
Specifically, it found support for three aspects of the ultimate attribution error: [1] more internal attribution for positive acts, and less internal attribution for negative acts, by ingroup than outgroup members; more attribution of outgroup members' failures to lack of ability, and more explaining away of outgroup members' successes;
For example, when getting to know others, people tend to ask leading questions which seem biased towards confirming their assumptions about the person. However, this kind of confirmation bias has also been argued to be an example of social skill; a way to establish a connection with the other person. [9]
To demonstrate the first form of group attribution error, research participants are typically given case studies about individuals who are members of defined groups (such as members of a particular occupation, nationality, or ethnicity), and then take surveys to determine their views of the groups as a whole.
The defensive attribution hypothesis (or bias, theory, or simply defensive attribution) is a social psychological term where an observer attributes the causes for a mishap to minimize their fear of being a victim or a cause in a similar situation.
Fritz Heider discovered Attribution theory during a time when psychologists were furthering research on personality, social psychology, and human motivation. [5] Heider worked alone in his research, but stated that he wished for Attribution theory not to be attributed to him because many different ideas and people were involved in the process. [5]
For example, Fundamental attribution error, which is the instinctive tendency to ascribe a certain behaviour to the individual's personality whilst neglecting the influence of situational factors, is a central concept to social psychology and is heavily founded on the spontaneous trait inference.