Making attributions

• Motivational factors that can lead to attribution bias include:
  • The need to protect self-esteem: We often make attributions that protect our self-esteem, even if they are not accurate. For example, if we fail an exam, we might attribute our failure to the difficulty of the exam rather than to our own lack of preparation.
  • The need to maintain a positive view of others: We also often make attributions that maintain a positive view of others, even if they are not accurate. For example, if a friend of ours behaves in a way that is hurtful, we might attribute their behavior to external factors, such as stress or fatigue, rather than to their personality.

The social and individual consequences of attribution bias can be significant. For example, attribution bias can lead to:

• Interpersonal conflict: When we make biased attributions about the behavior of others, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. For example, if we attribute a friend's lateness to laziness, rather than to a legitimate reason, it can lead to an argument.
• Low self-esteem: If we make biased attributions about our own behavior, it can lead to low self-esteem. For example, if we attribute our failures to internal factors, such as our lack of intelligence, it can lead to feelings of worthlessness.
• Ineffective problem-solving: If we make biased attributions about the causes of problems, it can make it difficult to solve those problems. For example, if we attribute a problem at work to our boss's personality, rather than to a structural problem, it can make it difficult to find a solution.

There are a number of things that we can do to reduce attribution bias. These include:

• Be aware of the different types of attribution bias.
• Try to gather as much information as possible before making an attribution.
• Consider the situational context when making attributions.
• Try to be objective and unbiased when making attributions.

By being aware of attribution bias and taking steps to reduce it, we can improve our understanding of others' behavior and make more effective decisions.