Activity for the book
My Psychology
My Take: 13.1 Fundamental Attribution Error
View the
My Take
video and then answer the questions.
View the transcript
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Question 1
1
When a person makes the fundamental attribution error, they assume that
_____
blank
factors and not
_____
blank
factors determine how another individual behaved.
Choice
A
,
environmental; personality
Choice
B
,
global; narrow
Choice
C
,
personality; environmental
Choice
D
,
narrow; global
Question 1
SUBMIT
Question 2
2
Which statement might be made by a person who has made the fundamental attribution error?
Choice
A
,
“She missed class because her mother was in the hospital.”
Choice
B
,
“People who study hard are probably trying to avoid losing their financial aid.”
Choice
C
,
“He drives so fast because he’s a very inconsiderate driver.”
Choice
D
,
“She tripped because there was an uneven brick on the sidewalk.”
Question 2
SUBMIT
Question 3
3
When Becky arrives late to class, her professor chastises her in front of the rest of the students. “It is very inconsiderate of you to come to class late. In the future I expect you to be on time.” The teacher has no idea that Becky was in a car accident on the way to school. Has this teacher made the fundamental attribution error?
Choice
A
,
Yes, because the teacher was right and Becky should have been to class on time regardless of her reasons for being late.
Choice
B
,
No, this would be an example of the self-serving bias.
Choice
C
,
Yes, because he attributed Becky’s behaviors to internal rather than external factors.
Choice
D
,
No, because this error only occurs when we make attributions about our own actions, not those of another person.
Question 3
SUBMIT
Question 4
4
Your Take!
Why do you think we make the fundamental attribution error? Is there some benefit to ourselves when we explain others’ behaviors in this way?
Question 4
SUBMIT