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What do cognitive misers typically rely on to conserve processing resources?
What do cognitive misers typically rely on to conserve processing resources?
What is a potential drawback of using heuristics in decision-making?
What is a potential drawback of using heuristics in decision-making?
Which heuristic involves making judgments based on how closely an example resembles a stereotype?
Which heuristic involves making judgments based on how closely an example resembles a stereotype?
What is the base rate fallacy in the context of representativeness heuristic?
What is the base rate fallacy in the context of representativeness heuristic?
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Which situation best exemplifies the use of the availability heuristic?
Which situation best exemplifies the use of the availability heuristic?
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In social cognition, what are heuristics primarily used for?
In social cognition, what are heuristics primarily used for?
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How might the representativeness heuristic mislead someone in a social judgment?
How might the representativeness heuristic mislead someone in a social judgment?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cognitive misers?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cognitive misers?
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What does the availability heuristic describe?
What does the availability heuristic describe?
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Which situation exemplifies the false consensus effect?
Which situation exemplifies the false consensus effect?
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How does the anchoring heuristic influence decision-making?
How does the anchoring heuristic influence decision-making?
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After hearing about a recent plane crash, what cognitive bias might cause someone to think air travel is unsafe?
After hearing about a recent plane crash, what cognitive bias might cause someone to think air travel is unsafe?
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What would be the likely effect of the false consensus effect on behavior?
What would be the likely effect of the false consensus effect on behavior?
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Which statement best describes the anchoring heuristic using a pricing example?
Which statement best describes the anchoring heuristic using a pricing example?
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When does the availability heuristic have a significant impact on judgments?
When does the availability heuristic have a significant impact on judgments?
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In what way can the false consensus effect lead to misunderstanding in social interactions?
In what way can the false consensus effect lead to misunderstanding in social interactions?
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What is the fundamental attribution error?
What is the fundamental attribution error?
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How does the actor-observer bias influence our attributions?
How does the actor-observer bias influence our attributions?
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What is the primary effect of self-serving attributions?
What is the primary effect of self-serving attributions?
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Which scenario best illustrates the concept of the fundamental attribution error?
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of the fundamental attribution error?
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What does self-serving attribution tend to encourage?
What does self-serving attribution tend to encourage?
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In the context of the actor-observer bias, how would a person explain their own trip?
In the context of the actor-observer bias, how would a person explain their own trip?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of self-serving attributions?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of self-serving attributions?
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Which explanation best describes why people often commit the fundamental attribution error?
Which explanation best describes why people often commit the fundamental attribution error?
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What determines whether a person uses heuristic or systematic strategies in social inference?
What determines whether a person uses heuristic or systematic strategies in social inference?
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Which statement best describes the Mere Exposure effect?
Which statement best describes the Mere Exposure effect?
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What is a likely reaction of a person experiencing cognitive dissonance?
What is a likely reaction of a person experiencing cognitive dissonance?
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In which situation is a person likely to be a 'cognitive miser'?
In which situation is a person likely to be a 'cognitive miser'?
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How did Richard LaPierre's study demonstrate the discrepancy between attitudes and behavior?
How did Richard LaPierre's study demonstrate the discrepancy between attitudes and behavior?
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What strategy might a person use if they believe their decision on an important issue must be well-informed?
What strategy might a person use if they believe their decision on an important issue must be well-informed?
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What is a common outcome of repeated exposure to a new song?
What is a common outcome of repeated exposure to a new song?
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What does cognitive dissonance Theory primarily focus on?
What does cognitive dissonance Theory primarily focus on?
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What factor does NOT contribute to high levels of obedience according to Milgram?
What factor does NOT contribute to high levels of obedience according to Milgram?
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Under which condition does social facilitation typically occur?
Under which condition does social facilitation typically occur?
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Which of the following examples best illustrates the concept of social loafing?
Which of the following examples best illustrates the concept of social loafing?
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What does the 'actual self' refer to in self-discrepancy theory?
What does the 'actual self' refer to in self-discrepancy theory?
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What is the primary reason individuals may conform to group norms?
What is the primary reason individuals may conform to group norms?
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What outcome is typically observed when people perform difficult tasks in front of an audience?
What outcome is typically observed when people perform difficult tasks in front of an audience?
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Which aspect does NOT align with Milgram's theory on obedience?
Which aspect does NOT align with Milgram's theory on obedience?
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In what way can control theory of self-regulation be described?
In what way can control theory of self-regulation be described?
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Study Notes
Attribution Biases
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Fundamental Attribution Error (Ross): Tendency to overemphasize internal personality traits and underestimate external situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior. Example: Assuming someone is rude due to personality instead of considering external circumstances causing their behavior.
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Actor-Observer Bias (Jones & Nisbett): People tend to attribute their own actions to external causes but other people's actions to internal causes. Example: You blame an uneven sidewalk for tripping, but blame someone else's trip on their clumsiness.
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Self-Serving Attributions (Olson & Ross): People tend to attribute successes to internal factors and failures to external factors. This protects self-esteem. Example: "I did well on the test because I'm smart" (success) versus "I failed the test because the questions were unfair" (failure).
Cognitive Miser
- People use mental shortcuts (heuristics) to simplify complex judgments and conserve mental energy.
Heuristics
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Timesaving mental shortcuts that simplify complex judgments. They can be quick and easy but lead to biased information processing.
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Representativeness Heuristic: Judging people based on how closely they match a category prototype. Prone to base rate fallacy - ignoring statistical information in favor of stereotypical information. Example: Assuming a quiet book lover is a librarian based on a stereotype, even without considering actual statistics of librarian occupations.
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Availability Heuristic: Judging the frequency or probability of an event based on how easily examples come to mind. Example: Overestimating air travel dangers after hearing about a plane crash due to the recent and vivid memory.
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False Consensus Effect: Overestimating how common your opinions are among the general population. Example: Assuming most people like a movie you enjoy, even if they might not.
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Anchoring Heuristic: Relying heavily on the initial information (anchor) provided, even if it's inaccurate, when making quantitative judgments. Example: Judging a 100jacketsalepriceasagooddeal,evenifit′sstillexpensive,duetotheinitial100 jacket sale price as a good deal, even if it's still expensive, due to the initial 100jacketsalepriceasagooddeal,evenifit′sstillexpensive,duetotheinitial200 anchor.
Motivated Tactician
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People are flexible social thinkers and can choose between multiple cognitive strategies based on their goals, motives, and needs.
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Some factors that determine whether you use heuristics or systematic strategies for social inference:
- Importance or personal meaning of the situation
- Desire to conserve mental energy
Mere Exposure
- Zajonc (1968): You tend to develop more positive feelings towards objects and individuals the more you are exposed to them. No action or interaction is required. Example: Starting to like a song you initially disliked after hearing it repeatedly.
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
- Festinger (1957): A feeling of discomfort caused by performing an action that is inconsistent with one's attitudes. This motivates people to reduce the inconsistency. Example: Feeling uncomfortable about cheating on a test and then justifying the action by saying the test was unfair.
Conformity
- When you change your behavior to fit in with a group, even if no one directly tells you to. Example: Wearing similar clothes as your friends to blend in.
Social Facilitation
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Floyd Allport (1920): Performing better in front of an audience depends on the complexity of the task.
- Easy tasks lead to better performance with an audience. (Example: Experienced cyclist riding faster with spectators).
- Difficult tasks lead to worse performance with an audience. (Example: Struggling more with a challenging math problem while being watched).
Social Loafing
- People exert less effort in a group compared to working alone. Example: Not working as hard in a group project due to shared responsibility.
Theories of Self-Comparison
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Control Theory of Self-Regulation: Explains how people monitor and adjust their behavior to meet personal goals or standards.
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Self-Discrepancy Theory:
- Actual Self: Who you believe you are right now based on your current traits, abilities, and behaviors.
- Ideal Self: Who you want to be or aspire to be.
- Ought Self: Who you feel you should be based on societal expectations or duties.
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Description
This quiz explores various attribution biases, including the Fundamental Attribution Error, Actor-Observer Bias, and Self-Serving Attributions. Understand how these biases impact our perceptions of ourselves and others. Test your knowledge on cognitive shortcuts in judgment as well.
