{"id":594,"date":"2023-03-03T19:13:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/10-1-apply-it\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T18:42:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:42:45","slug":"10-1-apply-it","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/10-1-apply-it\/","title":{"raw":"Social Psychology and Self-Presentation: Apply It","rendered":"Social Psychology and Self-Presentation: Apply It"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Describe situational versus dispositional influences on behavior<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Give examples of the fundamental attribution error and other common biases<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Describe social roles, social norms, and scripts and how they influence behavior<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Exploring Personality and the Fundamental Attribution Error<\/h2>\r\n<p>In this section, we explored the <strong>fundamental attribution error<\/strong>, a phenomenon particularly seen in individualistic cultures whereby dispositional, or internal, factors for behavior are more heavily emphasized over situational and contextual factors. This cognitive bias can cause people to jump to conclusions, making judgmental or negative conclusions about someone\u2019s character or motivations without considering the whole picture.<\/p>\r\n<p>In short, we tend to make erroneous conclusions that when someone does something bad, that they <em>are <\/em>bad. This is often unfair to others and can lead us to have inaccurate, and negative, perceptions of the people around us.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because the fundamental attribution error is often an automatic and unconscious process, we must take special care to bring awareness to these assumptions as well as work to counteract them. Research shows this effect can lead individuals to be less caring and helpful to others as well as reduce empathy. In this activity, you\u2019ll work to challenge your biases and conclusions of recent interactions in your own life.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Dispositional vs. Situational Factors<\/h2>\r\n<p>In the table below, you\u2019ll see descriptions of common situations in which you might observe another person\u2019s negative behavior.<\/p>\r\n<p>Consider each situation, then make one attribution or cause of the behavior based on the perpetrator's disposition or trait (e.g., \u201cthey\u2019re a bad person\u201d). Next, come up with <em>two<\/em> alternate explanations that account for situational or contextual factors (e.g., \u201cthey had a bad day\u201d). Notice your feelings about the situation and towards the person both before and after exploring these situational factors. What changed?<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"height: 450px; width: 98.1053%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\"><strong>Event\/Behavior<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\"><strong>Dispositional Factor<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\"><strong>Situational Factor #1<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\"><strong>Situational Factor #2<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 45px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 24.2301%;\">Someone cuts you off in traffic and speeds off.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 26.0877%;\">What a jerk!<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 25.2508%;\">They might be on the way to the hospital.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 37.913%;\">They are probably on their way to the airport to catch a flight.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\">Your waiter is dismissive and short, leaving your drinks empty and frowning when you make requests.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"559095\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"559095\"]This is a terrible waiter.[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"313822\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"313822\"]This waiter has had a long shift, is overworked and picking up extra tables to keep things running in the restaurant.[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"534877\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"534877\"]This waiter may have had an argument with their significant other right before work. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\">A member of your group project fails to submit their work on time, and when they do, it\u2019s low-quality.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"755637\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"755637\"]This group member is lazy and doesn't care about school. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"643985\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"643985\"]This group member is struggling with this course content and unsure of their ability to contribute to this project. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"362010\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"362010\"]This group member is juggling work and family life making it difficult for them to devote full attention to school.\u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 96px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 24.2301%;\">You meet a relative\u2019s new partner. They are standoffish, asking few questions of others and spending much time on their phone.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 26.0877%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"459113\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"459113\"]This person is rude and doesn't care about getting to know us.\u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 25.2508%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"670191\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"670191\"]This person is feeling anxious and overwhelmed at meeting their partner's family, making it difficult for them to be themselves. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 37.913%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"26382\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"26382\"]This person isn't feeling well today, but didn't want to miss this event. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 96px;\">\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 24.2301%;\">A new professor scores your first assignment very harshly. When you reach out by email, their response seems terse.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 26.0877%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"352941\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"352941\"]This professor doesn't care about students and wants us to fail.\u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 25.2508%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"231099\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"231099\"]This professor is feeling overwhelmed with their new position and may not be communicating effectively because of this.[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 37.913%;\">[reveal-answer q=\"380369\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"380369\"]This professor is adjusting to the culture and expectations of a new institution. \u00a0[\/hidden-answer]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<section class=\"textbox interact\">The Big Five theory of personality is one of the most well-supported and researched models of personality in psychological research. This model defines personality using five characteristics: openness to experience, agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Traits are measured as a spectrum, with individuals falling at high, medium, or low levels on each factor. <br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\nFor this activity, head to <a href=\"https:\/\/bigfive-test.com\">https:\/\/bigfive-test.com<\/a> and take this 120-question (approximately 10 minutes) assessment of your personality! Then, consider the following questions:\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>What is your reaction to your results? What aspects feel accurate? Which feel less accurate?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Consider three of your social roles (e.g., student, parent, employee, etc.). How does your personality vary in these different roles? In which role do these results feel most accurate? In which role do they feel least accurate? What might influence these differences?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Can you think of a recent interaction with another person where you either judged someone else or you felt judged by them? How do you think your or their interpretations might line up with your or their actual personality? What dispositional assumptions do you sometimes make based on situational factors?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Describe situational versus dispositional influences on behavior<\/li>\n<li>Give examples of the fundamental attribution error and other common biases<\/li>\n<li>Describe social roles, social norms, and scripts and how they influence behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Exploring Personality and the Fundamental Attribution Error<\/h2>\n<p>In this section, we explored the <strong>fundamental attribution error<\/strong>, a phenomenon particularly seen in individualistic cultures whereby dispositional, or internal, factors for behavior are more heavily emphasized over situational and contextual factors. This cognitive bias can cause people to jump to conclusions, making judgmental or negative conclusions about someone\u2019s character or motivations without considering the whole picture.<\/p>\n<p>In short, we tend to make erroneous conclusions that when someone does something bad, that they <em>are <\/em>bad. This is often unfair to others and can lead us to have inaccurate, and negative, perceptions of the people around us.<\/p>\n<p>Because the fundamental attribution error is often an automatic and unconscious process, we must take special care to bring awareness to these assumptions as well as work to counteract them. Research shows this effect can lead individuals to be less caring and helpful to others as well as reduce empathy. In this activity, you\u2019ll work to challenge your biases and conclusions of recent interactions in your own life.<\/p>\n<h2>Dispositional vs. Situational Factors<\/h2>\n<p>In the table below, you\u2019ll see descriptions of common situations in which you might observe another person\u2019s negative behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Consider each situation, then make one attribution or cause of the behavior based on the perpetrator&#8217;s disposition or trait (e.g., \u201cthey\u2019re a bad person\u201d). Next, come up with <em>two<\/em> alternate explanations that account for situational or contextual factors (e.g., \u201cthey had a bad day\u201d). Notice your feelings about the situation and towards the person both before and after exploring these situational factors. What changed?<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 450px; width: 98.1053%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\"><strong>Event\/Behavior<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\"><strong>Dispositional Factor<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\"><strong>Situational Factor #1<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\"><strong>Situational Factor #2<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 45px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 24.2301%;\">Someone cuts you off in traffic and speeds off.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 26.0877%;\">What a jerk!<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 25.2508%;\">They might be on the way to the hospital.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 45px; width: 37.913%;\">They are probably on their way to the airport to catch a flight.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\">Your waiter is dismissive and short, leaving your drinks empty and frowning when you make requests.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q559095\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q559095\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This is a terrible waiter.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q313822\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q313822\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This waiter has had a long shift, is overworked and picking up extra tables to keep things running in the restaurant.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q534877\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q534877\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This waiter may have had an argument with their significant other right before work. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 71px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 24.2301%;\">A member of your group project fails to submit their work on time, and when they do, it\u2019s low-quality.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 26.0877%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q755637\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q755637\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This group member is lazy and doesn&#8217;t care about school. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 25.2508%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q643985\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q643985\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This group member is struggling with this course content and unsure of their ability to contribute to this project. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 71px; width: 37.913%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q362010\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q362010\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This group member is juggling work and family life making it difficult for them to devote full attention to school.\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 96px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 24.2301%;\">You meet a relative\u2019s new partner. They are standoffish, asking few questions of others and spending much time on their phone.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 26.0877%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q459113\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q459113\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This person is rude and doesn&#8217;t care about getting to know us.\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 25.2508%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q670191\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q670191\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This person is feeling anxious and overwhelmed at meeting their partner&#8217;s family, making it difficult for them to be themselves. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 37.913%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q26382\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q26382\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This person isn&#8217;t feeling well today, but didn&#8217;t want to miss this event. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 96px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 24.2301%;\">A new professor scores your first assignment very harshly. When you reach out by email, their response seems terse.<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 26.0877%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q352941\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q352941\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This professor doesn&#8217;t care about students and wants us to fail.\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 25.2508%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q231099\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q231099\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This professor is feeling overwhelmed with their new position and may not be communicating effectively because of this.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 96px; width: 37.913%;\">\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q380369\">Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q380369\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">This professor is adjusting to the culture and expectations of a new institution. \u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<section class=\"textbox interact\">The Big Five theory of personality is one of the most well-supported and researched models of personality in psychological research. This model defines personality using five characteristics: openness to experience, agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Traits are measured as a spectrum, with individuals falling at high, medium, or low levels on each factor. <\/p>\n<p>For this activity, head to <a href=\"https:\/\/bigfive-test.com\">https:\/\/bigfive-test.com<\/a> and take this 120-question (approximately 10 minutes) assessment of your personality! Then, consider the following questions:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What is your reaction to your results? What aspects feel accurate? Which feel less accurate?<\/li>\n<li>Consider three of your social roles (e.g., student, parent, employee, etc.). How does your personality vary in these different roles? In which role do these results feel most accurate? In which role do they feel least accurate? What might influence these differences?<\/li>\n<li>Can you think of a recent interaction with another person where you either judged someone else or you felt judged by them? How do you think your or their interpretations might line up with your or their actual personality? What dispositional assumptions do you sometimes make based on situational factors?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Fundamental Attribution Error Apply It\",\"author\":\"Courtney Prather for Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":585,"module-header":"apply_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"original","description":"Fundamental Attribution Error Apply It","author":"Courtney Prather for Lumen Learning","organization":"Lumen Learning","url":"","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/594"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7354,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/594\/revisions\/7354"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/585"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/594\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=594"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=594"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}