ATTRIBUTION THEORY Naive Psychology Attributions n n We

ATTRIBUTION THEORY “Naive Psychology”

Attributions n n We try to discern the motives and personality traits. Psychologist look at how such judgments are made.

Examples: Fundamental Attribution Error n Actor-Observer Bias n Defensive Attribution n (“Blame the victim. ”) Self-serving Bias n Discounting n Augmentation n

Am I really sick? n n n attend to bodily sensations interpret sensations in the context of illness negative mood (Skelton)

INFORMATION AND SELF-REGULATORY THEORY (Skelton and Pennebaker) influenced by e. g. culture and schema amount of information social comparison

Attribution Therapies ATTRIBUTIONS: “self-defeating” verses “self-enhancing” n James-Lange Theory n Cannon-Bard Theory n Role of Hormones

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion: Schachter and Singer (1962) epinephrine placebo n n n Confederate “happy” Confederate “Sad” or “anxious” more positive mood more negative mood No change Subjects not informed or misinformed about effects of epinephrine given an injection of either epinephrine or placebo Put in room with confederate who pretended to be feeling euphoric or anxious from the same injection When given epinephrine most interpreted their internal feelings from the situation—the confederate’s apparent reaction. Not so with the placebo. Not so when informed about the true nature of the drug

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Schachter and Singer (1962) n Autonomic arousal n Cognitive interpretation of that arousal (Ovid)

Misattribution And The Exacerbation Model Following the two factor theory: n Ross, Rodin and Zimbardo (1969) n Storms and Nisbett (1970)

Storms and Nisbett (1970)

VERIDICAL REATTRIBUTION n Lowery, Denney, and Storms (1979) n case studies n modern crisis intervention n Drug Psychosis n Sexual Dysfunctions

VERIDICAL REATTRIBUTION AND DRUG “PYCHOSIS” Modified from, Becker’s Social Basis Drug-induced Experience Drug Culture Names, explain and talks about the drug and its effects. May indicate to novice that he or she is having a typical reaction—therefore he or she is normal. Drug (Taken by novice. ) New experiences Errors in action “Old Culture” Indicates or asserts. “Drugs cause mental illness” or “Took drugs as a result of underlying disorder and/or drug precipitated psychotic reaction” Becker asserts that with a second culture (a drug culture) available, one may be faced with competing definitions about what is happening within his/her subjective experience. “Drugs cause mental illness” May be seen as a self-fulfilling prophecy. According to Becker, for Mechanism for preventing “psychosis” to work: Need 3 conditions: 1. Drug must not cause damage. 2. Users must share a set of understandings—”A culture” 3. Novice should be in a group setting.

VERIDICAL REATTRIBUTION AND SEX PROBLEMS History of Sex Research n Pioneering Stage n Kinsey Reports (1948, 1953) n Masters and Johnson

Myths and Fallacies n The Myth of the Males’ Sexual Wisdom n The search for Aphrodisiacs n Penis Size n Masturbation

Myths and Fallacies n Two Types of Orgasm in Women n Single versus Multiple Orgasm n Focus on orgasm

Masters and Johnson view of the Sex Response TIME Sexual Excitement “The Hots”

Myths and Fallacies n Focus on Orgasm: excitement phase plateau stage orgasm phase resolution stage

Myths and Fallacies n Myth of the identity of male and female sexual urges n Sex as a Barometer of a good relationship n Sex and old age

Masters and Johnson’s behavioral therapy for sexual problems n n n Focus on socio-cultural deprivation and ignorance of sexual physiology Focus on relationship as a whole Prescribed specific sexual exercises Focus on pleasure (no pressure) Systematic Desensitisation

Modern Sex Education . : Seeing parents and other comfortable with sex M. & J “Sex education: how it is being taught in elementary classrooms” (reprints available from Grade Teacher, 23 Leroy Ave. Darien Conn. 06820). Found at York Regional School board's Parent-Teacher Meeting Four Concepts: n Self-awareness n Physiological n Reproductive n family

Modern Sex Education

MODERN ATTRIBUTIONAL STYLE THERAPY n n changing self-defeating myths about sex changing self-defeating attributional style of those with low self esteem