Attribution Theory and Biases

Attribution Theory

• Attribution refers to the explanations we give for our own and others' behavior.
• Fritz Heider is considered the father of Attribution Theory.
• Two main types of attribution:
  • Dispositional (internal): attributing behavior to personal characteristics (e.g., traits, motives, beliefs).
  • Situational (external): attributing behavior to external factors (e.g., surroundings, social influences).

Biases in Attribution

• Correspondence Bias: Overemphasizing dispositional factors and underestimating situational factors when explaining others' behavior.
  • Also known as Fundamental Attribution Error or Attribution Effect.
  • Example: Assuming someone is late because they are undisciplined, even if there was traffic.
  • Was introduced by Edward E. Jones and Keith Davis.
• Actor-Observer Bias: Attributing our own behavior to situational factors and others' behavior to dispositional factors.
  • Example: You might be late due to unexpected traffic but think someone else is late due to lack of punctuality.
  • Jones and Nisbett (1971) explored this bias.
• Self-Serving Bias: Attributing positive outcomes to internal factors (e.g., intelligence, effort) and negative outcomes to external factors (e.g., bad luck, challenging task).
  • Example: You did well on a test because you studied hard but failed another test due to the difficulty of the test.
  • Shelley Taylor's research highlights this bias's role in maintaining self-esteem.
• Saliency Bias: Focusing on the most noticeable information while overlooking less noticeable aspects.
  • Example: You are more likely to remember the most striking product at a shopping mall or credit the most intelligent person in a group for project success.
• Halo/Horn Effect: Overgeneralizing a single trait of a person to other aspects of their personality.
  • Halo Effect: One positive trait overshadows other aspects. (e.g., a topper student being perceived as perfect).
  • Horn Effect: One negative trait overshadows other aspects. (e.g., a backbencher being perceived as incapable).

Theories of Attribution

• Correspondent Theory: Developed by Jones and Davis (1965), it explores how we infer someone’s internal traits from their actions.
  • Focuses on behaviors with unique outcomes.
  • Considers choices and unexpectedness.
  • Helps understand how we judge others’ traits based on their actions.
  • Correspondent inferences are more likely when behavior is:
    • Freely chosen
    • Yields unique effects
    • Is low in social desirability.
• Causal Theory/Co-variation Attribution: Introduced by Harold Kelley (1972), it focuses on how people analyze patterns between behavior, person, and situation to attribute behavior.
  • Uses three key cues:
    • Consistency: How consistent behavior is over time.
    • Distinctiveness: How different behavior is in varying situations.
    • Consensus: How many other people engage in similar behavior.
  • Individuals attribute behavior to internal traits if consistency is high and distinctiveness and consensus are low. The opposite is true for external attributions.
• Achievement Theory: Introduced by Bernard Weiner (1985), it examines how individuals attribute success and failure in achievement contexts.
  • Uses three dimensions of attribution:
    • Locus of Control: Internal or external.
    • Stability: Stable or unstable.
    • Controllability: Controllable or uncontrollable.
  • These dimensions influence emotions and motivation. Internal, stable, and controllable attributions lead to positive emotions and higher motivation.

Quiz

• Q1: What does Attribution mean?
  • Correct Answer: Assigning causes to our own and others' behavior.
• Q2: What is an example of the Self-Serving Bias?
  • Correct Answer: Attributing positive things to one’s own characteristics and negative things to outer factors.
• Q3: What does the Fundamental Attribution Error (Correspondence Bias) refer to?
  • Correct Answer: Overestimating the role of internal factors in others' behavior.
• Q4: What is the actor-observer bias?
  • Correct Answer: Attributing one's own behavior to external factors and others' behavior to internal factors.
• Q5: Which attribution theory focuses on success and failure in achievement situations?
  • Correct Answer: Achievement Attribution Theory.
• Q6: What are the cues used in Kelley's Covariation Theory to attribute behavior?
  • Correct Answer: Consistency, Distinctiveness, and Consensus.
• Q7: What is the dimension of attribution not included in Weiner's Achievement Theory?
  • Correct Answer: This question is incomplete and needs additional context. Weiner's theory includes Locus of Control, Stability, and Controllability.