Reference no: EM131716127

You were first introduced to the fundamental attribution error in Chapter 1 (p. 12). In Chapter 5, this cognitive bias is explored more thoroughly and we learn that there is cultural variation in the strength of the fundamental attribution error. Specifically, people in Western cultures (e.g., Europe and North America) tend to be individualistic/independent and therefore focus more on the role of the individual when explaining a behavior or outcome. In contrast, in non-Western cultures (e.g., Asia and Pacific Islands) tend to be collectivist/interdependent and pay more attention to situational factors. In Hawaii, most of our media comes from the Mainland - we watch movies about individuals overcoming great odds and TV shows that revolve around people vying for personal gain. Yet, we are surrounded by Asian and Pacific Islander culture, including the stories about cooperation and the importance of family that we were told as children. This puts many of us somewhere in the middle. Question: Reflect on a time when the influence of external factors on your or someone else's behavior was underestimated. What happened? What cultural factors do you think contributed to this occurrence? Try to explain both the behavior and the interpretation of the behavior. In your post, also include where you are from and where you were when this event occurred.