question archive The Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) refers to the tendency for we humans to overestimate individual factors and underestimate the situation when we are observingand interpreting the actions of others
The Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) refers to the tendency for we humans to overestimate individual factors and underestimate the situation when we are observingand interpreting the actions of others
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The Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) refers to the tendency for we humans to overestimate individual factors and underestimate the situation when we are observingand interpreting the actions of others. In other words, we tend to say "he did that because that is the kind of person he is." Rather than saying, "he did that because of the situation he found himself in." (Yes, it is a matter of degree. And, I used "he" but "she" or "they" works just as well.) :-)
Here is a simple example of the FAE: while standing in a cafe, a stranger spills a cup of coffee and the coffee spills on your new shoes. You immediately think to yourself "you are so careless and clumsy!" You attribute the spill to characteristics of the person--they ARE careless and clumsy. In fact, maybe the spill was the result of the situation. Maybe the person was bumped into? Or maybe the cup was delivered with a defective lid? The FAE is our (humans) tendency to underestimate the influence of the situation, and to over estimate the influence of the individual characteristics of the person.
1. Take some minutes to think about the FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTION ERROR (FAE) which I describe above. Think about how the the FAE relates to other ideas
2. Carefully re-read about and research the Milgram Experiment but you might want to web search too. There's tons of great information out there including this link: https://www.prisonexp.org/the-story
Interviews about an Experiment -After reading about and researching the Milgram and Zimbardo studies, choose two people in your life to interview. Then, describe the set-up for the Milgram Experiment And/Orthe Zimbardo Prison Study to the two people you know, one at a time, then ask each person to predict what would happen in the experiment. And, if you are comfortable, ask your interviewee to predict what they believe they would have done if they were part of the research study? (Feel free to describe the same study to both of your people or one study each. That's up to you.) :-) Be sure to note how your two interviewees respond.
-Next, explain to each of your interviewees what the actual outcome of the experiment was and ask them what they think. Again, pay attention to how your people react and what they say.
-Next, description of the experiment your chose, brief information about who you interviewed (no names--just a little about who they are), the predictions of your interviewees, and your interviewees reaction to the actual outcome of the study.
-At the end of your write-up of your interviews explain to me what the FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTION ERROR is, tell me how you think the fundamental attribution error might relate to results of your interviews. Please be detailed and clearly explain, what the fundamental attribution error is, and how it relates to your interviews, and why it is important.
