Unit 4 - Lesson 1
AP Psychology Lesson: Attribution Theory and Person Perception
Unit: Social Psychology and Personality | Lesson: 1 of 6 | Topic: Attribution Theory and Person Perception
AP Exam Weighting: 15%–25% of exam score
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring how attribution theory and person perception influence social behavior. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.
Warm-Up
Purpose: Get you thinking about how we judge others’ behaviors.
Questions:
- Why might you assume someone is late because they’re irresponsible?
- How does your first impression of someone affect how you view their actions?
Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.
Key Concepts
Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Attribution theory explains how we interpret the causes of behavior, distinguishing between dispositional (internal traits, e.g., personality) and situational (external factors, e.g., traffic) attributions. The fundamental attribution error overemphasizes dispositional causes for others’ behavior (e.g., assuming a late classmate is lazy). Person perception involves forming impressions based on cues like appearance or behavior. The halo effect causes one positive trait to influence overall perception (e.g., assuming a friendly person is smart). Example: Judging a quiet student as shy (dispositional) rather than nervous due to a presentation (situational). Self-serving bias attributes personal successes to internal traits and failures to external factors. Cultural factors influence attributions (e.g., collectivist cultures emphasize situational factors). These processes shape social interactions like trust or conflict.
- Define attribution theory in your own words: _______________________________
- Define fundamental attribution error in your own words: _______________________________
- Define halo effect in your own words: _______________________________
- Explain how the self-serving bias influences a behavior, using a specific example:
- Explain how person perception influences a behavior, using a different example:
- How does the fundamental attribution error affect social judgments?
- Why might cultural differences influence attribution styles?
- How could the halo effect impact a real-world decision, like hiring?
Guided Activity
Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A student assumes a teammate failed a group project due to laziness, ignoring their family issues. Analyze how the fundamental attribution error and self-serving bias contribute to this judgment. For example, consider how internal assumptions or personal biases shape their perception.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in the judgment.
Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.
Task 2: Case Application: Imagine a teacher favors a well-dressed student, assuming they’re hardworking. Apply the concepts of person perception and halo effect to explain this behavior. For example, evaluate how appearance or initial impressions affect the teacher’s judgment.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the teacher’s behavior.
Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.
Class Assignment: Refer to the assignment file for this lesson
Instructions: Complete the tasks below to deepen your understanding of attribution theory and person perception.
Study Summary 1: A 2016 study found that people in individualist cultures were more likely to make dispositional attributions for failures than those in collectivist cultures.
Question 1: How does this study demonstrate the role of culture in attribution theory, and what might explain these differences?
Study Summary 2: A 2019 study showed that attractive individuals were rated as more competent in job interviews, reflecting the halo effect.
Question 2: Evaluate how this study illustrates the impact of person perception on behavior, and suggest one limitation of its findings.
AP Exam Connection: This practices analyzing and evaluating research, a key skill for FRQs.
AP Exam Practice
Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how attribution theory, the fundamental attribution error, and the halo effect interact to influence a specific social behavior (e.g., forming impressions, conflict, or decision-making). Provide one example for each factor (attribution theory, fundamental attribution error, halo effect) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.
Closure
Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how attribution theory and person perception influence behavior.
Extended Practice
Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.
- Review your answers from this lesson.
- Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life behavior (e.g., how you judge a peer or make decisions). Include references to attribution theory, fundamental attribution error, and halo effect, and explain their interaction.
- Find a short article or study on attribution theory or person perception (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).