Asked by Brittany Medley on Jun 07, 2024

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A tendency to overestimate the extent to which a stranger's violent behavior stems from his or her aggressive personality best illustrates

A) peripheral route persuasion.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate the impact of personal disposition and underestimate the role of situational factors in explaining other people's behavior.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion that relies on superficial factors, such as the attractiveness or credibility of the source, rather than logical argument.

Cognitive Dissonance

A state of mental discomfort arising from holding two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, often leading to changes in beliefs or behaviors to reduce discomfort.

  • Become aware of the fundamental mistake in attribution and its effect on perceiving the world.
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JS
Julia SerpicoJun 12, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
The fundamental attribution error is the tendency for people to overemphasize dispositional (personality) explanations for other people's behavior, rather than considering situational factors. This would apply to overestimating a stranger's violent behavior as being a result of their aggressive personality, rather than possibly being influenced by the situation or circumstances surrounding the behavior.