This document discusses common cognitive shortcuts and errors that can lead to inaccurate perceptions of others. It describes implicit personality theory, where possessing one trait leads to assumptions of other traits, and stereotyping, where a single trait triggers fixed impressions of a group. Attribution errors are also discussed, including self-serving bias where positive behaviors of others are accepted but negative behaviors are rejected, overattribution where stereotypes are used to explain behaviors, and the fundamental attribution error where internal factors are overvalued and external factors undervalued when judging others.
2. Implicit Personality Theory A group of characteristics leads to another characteristic Opposite of stereotypes Special Case: Halo Effect Already possesses positive, assign more positive Already possesses negative, assign more negative
3. Stereotyping Fixed impression of a group of people, often triggered by a single trait opposite of implicit personality theory; both shortcuts based on traits Error of schema
4. Attribution A group of errors assigning motivation or rationale for behavior 3 General Errors Self-serving bias Accept positive, reject negative Overattribution Use of stereotype to explain Fundamental Attribution Error Overvalue internal, undervalue external
