Ch 12.
I have made internal attributions about other people before and it is horrible to do. For example, if I have ever heard something about someone and I then treat them the way that I have heard I should. For example, if I have heard that someone is extremely dumb, I might respond by sort of automatically assuming they can't understand what it is I'm saying (subconsciously or consciously) and this could easily irritate me. I think it's really important to understand that people have "off" days and that people also perceive things differently because it's all subjective.
However, I used to work at a hotel and I would assume that because they were staying at a resort, they had some money to spend. I would make sure I was extremely nice to all guests because that way I would be more likely to be tipped. Also, I would be EXTRA friendly with guests who I knew had been drinking because I had experienced that they would be buddy-buddy with me if I was friendly and funny when around them and they'd tip me well.
Honestly, attitude means a great deal in life. If you are making things up in your head that you find to be true about someone or a situation, it could totally work against you. Then again, it could work in your favor if you use it more positively.
Ginger,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about the internal attribution example you shared. I feel like it is very influential because people will be easily manipulated. This can happen also because the way people react to the situation i.e. person might like a jerk so we assume the person is a jerk. It is difficult because people can put up a front from the beginning when you meet them. Secondly the example you shared about working at a resort; my old boss from my first job taught me how to be nice to customers to get them to come back, tips, etc. The manager told me, you smile and act like your interested in their day from there it'll be natural. At first I was suspect to it, but then I started putting more effort in getting to know the customer since then it has helped me with my communication skills. Great post