Q. 1 - The first term that I will discuss is the Fundamental attribution error-which is defined as “the tendency to overestimate the extent to which people’s behavior stems from internal, dispositional factors and to underestimate the role of situational factors” (Aronson, Akert, Wilson & Fehr, 2013, p. 10). Simply put, the fundamental attribution error refers to the judgment of the negative actions of other people. This concept compels the observers to downplay the effects of situations in explaining human behavior.
- The second concept was the Social Comparison Theory. This theory postulates that, “people gain information about themselves and go ahead to make inferences which affect their self esteem by simply comparing themselves to other relevant people.” (Aronson et al, 2013, P. 16)
Q2. - In my life, I have experienced the effects of the Fundamental attribution error. The best situation that I can recall was at a restaurant that I have frequented for the last couple of years. I have come to love the services and the food offered by its dedicated and courteous staff. While having a meal at the restaurant I noted that one of the waiters was being rude to the customers. I summoned her to attend to me and in the process of her serving me she hit a glass of water and the water poured on me. I reprimanded her furiously and declined to accept her apologies thinking she had malicious intentions and immediately left the restaurant. I later came to learn that the waitress was having a very rough day in which she had broken up with her husband. Her actions on that day could be attributed to the emotional turmoil she was going through. Had I taken time to think that she was having a rough day, I would never have judged the waitress harshly. I would have taken time to question within myself why she was behaving differently or even asked her calmly whether she was experiencing any problems.
- The Social Comparison Theory has had a profound effect n my life. This theory has been best exemplified in my life by my choice of college to attend and even my career choice to match up to the expectations of my family and friends. I chose the college to attend because I felt that it was prestigious and that several of my family members and friends had attended institutions of the same if not higher repute. I therefore felt that they would, though in a silent manner approve of my education and this has greatly boosted my self-esteem. Out of subconsciously adhering to this theory, I have come to learn several things about myself. I have for instance discovered that I have appreciable leadership skills because I listen attentively and I am able to make firm and well thought decisions.
Q3. - My social environment has had and will continue to have a profound effect in my life. I have realized that our actions are interdependent and that the actions of one person in ones’s social seting have a ripple effect on all the other people in that society. In reference to the first theory that I picked from the book Social Psychology by (Aronson, et al 2012) I have learnt that the human mind is usually quick to make judgements based on the prevailing conditions. This happens without people having deep hindsight to the past and correlating it with the present (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2011). This is especially so in situations where certain human actions towards someone are deemed as malicious. A thought forms and the “victim” of an “injustice” abruptly interprets “unfair” acts against them as malicious. This motivates actions that could physically or emotionally hurt the alleged perpetrator.
- Moreover, the second theory- Social Comparison Theory has given me insight into the indecisiveness of human beings. After evaluating my choice of college and affirming that I made the choice to seek approval from my family and friends I now understand the deep interdependence among people in a given society. The quests for one’s self esteem stems from following thoughts and actions that are in line with the expectations from one’s society.
Q 4. - In adherence to the insights and lessons from the Fundamental attribution error I have become more tolerable to people. I have learnt that it is unfair to judge and reprimand someone harshly because they did something to me which I deem unfair. Unfair as it maybe, there could be a genuine reason as to why someone did it and that I should not misconstrue the person’s act to sum up his/her character (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2011). I find this lesson invaluable because it opens me up to my flaws and helps me react to situations where I might be the aggressor. Most importantly, I now treat people better because I too would like to be treated with dignity.
- The second theory Social Comparison Theory has fueled my quest to seek friendship with people with whom we share a vision. This is because, in my quest to seek ultimate self-esteem I am bound to thin, and act in ways targeting at seeking the approval of my immediate society (Aronson et al, 2013). If I associate with fiends with whom we share goals, I think I stand a wonderful chance to achieve my future aspirations in a supportive and mutually beneficial society.
References
Kassin, S. M., Fein, S., & Markus, H. (2011). Social psychology. Belmont, CA: Cengage Wadsworth.
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2013). Social psychology. Boston: Pearson.
