Attribution Theory

December 2024

• Dec 21, 2024ConceptsAttribution Theory: Misunderstanding ActionsIn 1967, Jones and Harris had subjects read essays supporting Fidel Castro's Cuba. Even when subjects were explicitly told the writers had been...19 MIN5.9k
• Dec 16, 2024ConceptsThe Just-World Hypothesis: Understanding Victim BlameIn the mid-1960s, Melvin Lerner showed subjects an innocent woman receiving electric shocks. Unable to stop the shocks, observers began to derogate her,...21 MIN4.4k
• Dec 11, 2024ConceptsThe Self-Serving Bias: Taking Credit, Avoiding BlameIn 1964, Johnson, Feigenbaum, and Weiby gave teachers feedback on a student's performance. When the student improved, teachers attributed it to...20 MIN2.3k

November 2024

• Nov 16, 2024ConceptsThe Fundamental Attribution ErrorIn 1967, Edward Jones and Victor Harris asked students to rate the true attitudes of essayists who had written pro-Castro arguments. When told the writer chose the position freely, students inferred pro-Castro attitudes. When told the writer was assigned the position (forced to argue a side they might not believe), students still inferred pro-Castro attitudes. The situational constraint made no difference. The fundamental attribution error: we systematically underestimate the power of situations and overestimate the role of character when explaining other people's behavior.18 MIN6.6k