The Attribution Theory Does No Essay Example

instance, we are more likely to perceive them as unfriendly rather than considering external factors such as their working conditions or physical discomfort from standing for long hours (Glassman, 1995:175). Our limited knowledge of preceding events makes it difficult to assess situational factors that contribute to the individual's behavior. In the absence of clear situational explanations, we are inclined to attribute behavior to dispositional factors, which are more noticeable to observers. This is why the fundamental attribution error is commonly observed. Another source of bias in attribution is the salience of an object involved in someone else's behavior. For example, if a person is walking on a street distracted by a large twenty-tonne lorry, they might mistakenly attribute their own careless action, such as bumping into someone, solely to the lorry's distraction.

People tend to avoid taking responsibility for accidentally bumping into someone, so they often try to blame external factors. For example, they might attribute their actions to their own personality, claiming that they are easily distracted. In a similar situation, would they instead blame the large truck? This illustrates how we tend to base our attributions on what captures our attention initially. In a hockey game, for instance, if a player attempts a goal but fails, our attention shifts to the player as the starting point for attribution. The viewer might attribute the miss to the player's lack of skill. However, upon further reflection, the perceiver may consider situational factors, such as slippery ground. This process can be seen as having two steps: attributing to dispositional factors in step one and situational factors in step two. While step two requires analysis and thought, all

the necessary information for step one is readily available. If the perceiver becomes distracted in any way, they may skip step two and solely attribute the outcome to the individual involved.

The attribution error varies depending on culture. Western societies prioritize the individual and hold the belief that anyone can succeed if they have the determination. In contrast, more collective cultures focus less on dispositional factors and consider situational factors more. Morris and Peng (1994) conducted a study comparing two murder stories.

Both Chinese and American newspapers covered the cases of a murderer student from China and an American postal worker murderer. Morris and Peng conducted a study and found that American newspapers tend to focus more on dispositional attributions for both American and Chinese murders compared to Chinese papers. Western cultures generally view behavior in dispositional terms, essentially acting as personality psychologists. Conversely, Eastern cultures tend to emphasize situational factors and view the world primarily from the perspective of their own culture. The contrasting views found in the newspaper study imply that there is no definitive answer to attribution, but rather a biased answer depending on one's cultural background. As observers, we are inclined to attribute behavior to dispositional factors, whereas as actors, we are more likely to perceive external situations as the cause (Nisbett, 1972).

When you under-tip a waiter in a restaurant, it can be due to various reasons, such as not having enough change or the waiter being rude. However, an observer who is not aware of your behavior in other situations may perceive you as a stingy person for this particular incident. It is unfair for them to judge you solely based on

this observation, as they are emphasizing dispositional factors rather than considering the situation at hand (Gleitman 2000:385).

Davenport (1992:184) states that Jones and Nisbett argue for the influence of human nature on individuals' perception of themselves as capable, intelligent, and skillful. Our behavior can be affected by personal and situational factors. However, when explaining others' actions, we tend to focus on their personality, ability, intentions, or disposition. This tendency is referred to as the self-serving attributional bias (Gleitman 2000:386). In sports, teams often attribute their success to factors like "training hard" or a "star player," highlighting internal factors. Conversely, the losing team often attributes their failure to bad luck rather than internal factors. Regarding athletic ability in American high schools, about sixty percent of students believe they are above average while only six percent believe they are below (Gilovich 1991).

According to attribution theory, biases towards others' behavior have a significant role in shaping our mental schema. When we admire someone and perceive their behavior as leading to success, we tend to view them as skillful and talented. Conversely, if we dislike someone who achieves success, we often attribute it to luck. These biases strongly impact discussions about losses with students. Many individuals have a self-centered perspective that highlights their own strengths, leading them to believe they are above average. This perspective also influences our perception of the failures and successes of those around us, including friends and family members. In conclusion, losing is a complex and sensitive topic for many students, where attribution theory suggests that biases greatly influence our mental framework.