There are several errors in attribution such as the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE), Self Serving Bias (SSB) and Actor-Observer Effect. All these are results of attribution bias. When the individual attempts to observe and explain someone’s actions but does not take all factors (situational and dispositional) into account.
The Self Serving Bias effect is when we explain our successes on the basis of internal dispositional factors and blame our failures on external situation factors. These biased attributions are seen as a way of preserving or increasing the individuals self esteem. A demonstration of self-serving bias is an empirical study done by Johnson et al. 1964.
In this study, participants (psychology students) taught two children how to multiply by 10 and 20. The teaching was done in two phases via a one-way intercom. The first phase was to teach the students to multiply by 10 and then by 20. Student A did well and Student B did very badly in the first test (when multiplying by 10). In the second test (when multiplying by 20) Student B did as well as Student A.
The result was that when Student B did badly the teacher blamed it on the student’s inadequacies. However when Student B did well the teacher took the credit for it, claiming it was because of good teaching and not necessarily because of Student B’s hard work.
Another instance of self-serving bias is in professional sport. In a study done by Lau and Russell (1980), coaches and professional athletes attributed 80% of their wins to internal/dispositional factors such as skill. In contrast, losses were attributed to external/ situational factors.
A study done by Abramson et al. (1989), showed that depressed people attribute their success to external/situational factors and their failures to internal/dispositional factors.
Miller and Ross (1975) argued that several instances of self-serving bias were rational and not for maintaining self esteem. They claimed that if trying harder did not enhance performance, then it could be concluded that there was an obstacle in the task. However if trying hard produces results then it is logical to attribute to ones self.
Heine et al. (1999), found that certain collectivistic societies such as China and Japan tend to attribute success to the society as a whole. Where individualistic countries such as USA and The UK tend to attribute success to individuals and not society. It was also found that the prevalence or occurrence of self-serving bias in collectivistic societies is less than in individualistic societies.
Actor- observer bias explains a commonly seen bias when trying to explain behavior. When people (actors) judge their own actions they tend to attribute it to situational factors rather than a generalization of their disposition. However when judging someone else’s behavior people tend to attribute to dispositional factors. People judge their own behavior on the basis of the situation they are in, but see others behavior solely as a product of their personality.
In a study done by Nisbett et al. (1973) male college students were asked to write essays – one about why they liked the woman they dated most frequently and why they had chosen their major. They were then made to write two more essays about there best friends dating interest and major.
When writing about themselves they made more situational attributes such as “ they chose that specific major because it was interesting”. Where as when writing about their best friends they made the same number of situational attributes as dispositional ones. For e.g. “ he majors in chemistry as he wants to make money.”
The result of this experiment was that people tend to attribute their behavior to external causes, as they themselves are variables. However they attribute some else’s behavior to dispositional factors.
When actors observe others behavior they lack adequate information and therefore rely more on Fundamental Attribution Error. But when observing one self-actors have more knowledge of intention, behavior and various situational factors.
In a study done by Storm (1973) actors were made to see videotapes of their behavior in a particular situation. After seeing the video the actors made less situational attributions in comparison to the observers.
Researchers have found that when actors know the observers well, they tend to succumb to bias less. This is, as they would know the motivation, needs and situation in the individual’s life. There fore the external factors that affect the behavior are accounted for
In conclusion there are several errors in attribution including the ones mentioned above. Each of these errors are common in our daily life if not committed by us. Knowing these errors exist explains a great deal about human behavior and attribution.
by
bhandaria (student)
