Question

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error and according to the Lecture, what are the steps that will inevitably lead to genocide. What is the cure of this thinking error and why is it so difficult to use, in real life? Discuss

Answer 1

Fundamental Attribution Error:

Fundamental attribution error, also known as correspondence bias or attribution effect, is the tendency for people to under-emphasize situational explanations for an individual's observed behavior while over-emphasizing dispositional and personality-based explanations for their behavior.

Following steps lead to genocide:

1.Classification: All cultures have categories to distinguish people into “us and them” by
ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality.

2. Symbolization: We give names or other symbols to the classifications. We name people “Jews” or “Gypsies”, or distinguish them by colors or dress; and apply them to members of groups.

3. Dehumanization: One group denies the humanity of the other group. Members of it are equated with animals, vermin, insects or diseases.

4. Organization: Genocide is always organized, usually by the state, though sometimes informally or by terrorist groups.

5. Polarization: Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast polarizing
propaganda.

6. Preparation: Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up.

7. Extermination: EXTERMINATION begins, and quickly becomes the mass killing legally called “genocide.” It is “extermination” to the killers because they do not believe their victims to be fully human.

8. Denial: DENIAL is the eighth stage that always follows a genocide. It is among the surest indicators of
further genocidal massacres. The perpetrators of genocide dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, try to cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. They deny that they committed any crimes, and often blame what happened on the victims.