The fundamental attribution error is when observers tend to
overemphasize personal traits and underemphasize situational factors when
explaining behavior (Ross, 1977). In class, we talked about the example of how
actors are commonly type-casted for a certain role (Meg Ryan is sweet) and
people think they are actually like that in real life. Even though people
understand that they are paid millions of dollars to act that way, they are
still convinced of their traits and personality.
I see the fundamental attribution error in sports all the
time, especially in team rivalries (sorry to use volleyball again, its always
the first thing that comes to mind!). In volleyball, our biggest rival is
Trinity. Six of the last eight times we’ve played them, the match has gone to 5
sets (you have to win 3 out of 5 sets). As college athletes, we are all
extremely competitive and may not be quite as friendly to our opponents as we
would be under different circumstances. The fundamental attribution error comes
into play when we think every single one of those Trinity girls are bitches.
Even though we know they’re competitive and rude specifically under these
intense situations, we still interpret their behavior as personal attributes
and believe their behavior applies to all situations.
There are 3 reasons we make the fundamental attribution
error. First, the behavior is salient and sticks out more than the situation.
When we’re playing them and noticing some attitude, we’re not going to be like
“Oh its ok… they’re just under stressful game situations.” Instead we
automatically attribute the behavior to their personal traits. The second
reason we make this error is due to anchoring and adjustment. We anchor onto a
trait inference (bitchiness) to give us a basis and adjust for the situation.
The trait inference is easy and automatic, but the situational adjustment takes
effort, so if we’re cognitively busy (like during an intense game), we don’t
adjust for the situation. The third reason for the error is cultural.
Westerners have an independent identity, so they are more likely to make
personal attributions, whereas non-Westerners have an interdependent identity
and tend to make more situational attributions.
I’m sure that in reality they are nice people, I’m just not
sure I will ever overcome the fundamental attribution error!
References:
Ross, L. (1977).
The intuitive psychologist and his shortcomings: Distortions in the attribution
process. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances
in experimental social psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 174-221). New York:
Academic Press.
Word Count: 381
I think badmouthing the people on the other team is a sacred part of playing sports ;) The same thing happens in soccer, especially in high-stakes games, but in my experience, people get really mean when it comes to the refs. If you believed my teammates and me, every ref we've ever had has been blind and stupid. The things is, a lot us actually referee for the younger kids' games, so we even know how difficult the job is. Doesn't stop us when we're playing though. I think it probably has to do with preserving self-esteem; losing to a bunch of bitches or because of an idiot ref is less damaging. Also, before and during a game, we're all hyped up to play, which brings out more of our aggressive sides. Something I find kind of interesting though, is we can go out to dinner later that night with the same people we were just insulting and have a great time. It's like once we're in a calmer situation and can reconsider our attributions, we're able to realize the power of the situation.
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