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AP Psychology 12
Ms Carey
SOCIAL THINKING
Attribution Theory – Fritz Heider
 the theory that we explain someone’s behaviour by crediting either the situation or the
person’s disposition (personality traits vs. external situations)
 example: at a party, is a guy smiling because he is a happy guy OR b/c the party makes
him happy? 
Fundamental Attribution Error- when we overemphasize personality influence and
underestimating situational influences
 example: some people assume homeless people are too lazy to get a job- not true
What is Attribution?- why certain events occurred or why a person acted a certain way
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Attitudes & Action (central route persuasion & peripheral route p.646)
Actions Affect Attitudes
o The Foot In the Door Phenomeon- the tendency for people who have first
agreed to a small request to comply with a larger request
o Social Roles- expectations on how one should behave in certain social
positions- dependent on culture
o Cognitive Dissonance Theory- the theory that we act to reduce the
discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are
inconsistent. If what we believe and what we do are inconsistent, we feel
uncomfortable tension and try to reduce this by changing our attitudes.
o Looking Glass Effect- when we are aware of our attitudes, we are more likely
to guide our actions. Researchers have made participants more aware by
installing mirrors in the laboratory.
Assignment:
a) For each of the highlighted above words/terms/concepts- I want you to give a specific
example. So write down the word and give me a specific example of each.
b) Then answer the following question:
Driving to school one snowy day, Marco narrowly misses a car that slides through a red
light. “Slow down! What a terrible drive.” he thinks to himself. Moments later, Marco
himself slips through an intersection and yells “Wow! These roads are awful. The city
plows need to get out here.” What social psychology principle has Marco just
demonstrated? Explain with correct terms and ideas.