Social Thinking PSYC 2618 Chapter 14A

Heider’s attribution theory People attribute behavior to dispositions (abilities, attitudes) or situations (roles, social pressures)

Fundamental attribution error tendency for observers, when analyzing another’s behavior, to underestimate the impact of situational influences and overestimate the impact of personal dispositions

Attitude a person’s evaluation of a person, thing, or event a mixture of beliefs and feelings

Attitudes are most likely to affect behavior when other influences are minimal the attitude is specific to the behavior we are aware of our attitudes

Cognitive dissonance theory the theory that humans are strongly motivated to reduce the discomfort they feel when their attitudes and actions don’t match