Question

What is the definition of fundamental attribution error, the actor-observer difference, and self-serving attribution. What is an example of each term and discuss the outcome or result of each scenario based on the respective social cognition error.  

Answer 1

• Fundamental attribution error means when we tend to explain someone else's behaviour based on internal factors and underestimate the external factors.For example,if someone is walking on the road and falls down,then we would say that the person is unable to see or have problems in walking.Personal dispositional factors are the cause.
• This contributes to prejudices and stereotyping behaviours towards others and lead to conflicts.
• Self serving bias happens when we do the opposite.We tend to attribute our own behaviour to external factors or situational influences.For example,if I fall on the road while walking,I would attribute my falling to the road having potholes.
• Since this bias involves using information for our own interests,therefore it often blinds us to the ways in which we are prejudiced in favour of ourselves.
• Actor observer bias means when we explain others's behaviour to internal causes while attributing our own actions to external causes.For example,you have a meeting and the person you are meeting comes one hour late and he apologizes.But you consider his late coming as his personality and think that he has no regard for others time.
• Now if you are late for a meeting then you would attribute your behaviour to external factors like,getting stuck in traffic.You are not blaming yourself for being late,but giving a genuine explanation for your behaviour.
• False assumptions happen because of attributing others actions to personal factors rather than the situation,which again leads to prejudiced attitude.