Are you a Trait Theorist or a Situationist
Common sense, we all have it right? As the joke goes if it is so common, why do so few of us seem to possess it? When you see or hear of someone doing something unusual, is your first reaction to label or criticize the person? Or do you view the behavior as something isolated from the person? Are you quick to say, "What an idiot", or do you find yourself saying, "That person probably is having a stressful day"?
If you're a trait theorist then you use the word idiot far more often than someone who is a situationist. I must confess, I was a trait theorist for the better part of my entire life I frequently used the rated R version of idiot very often. I still sometimes find myself initially going that route but am able to catch myself and adjust my mindset. It takes a conscious effort to train your mind to go the other way. This mindhack may seem off to some but there is more than enough research to support the situationist perspective which once embraced should invoke more understanding, empathy, compassion and humor when we deal with one another. None of us are immune to the daily stresses we encounter and their impact on how we receive information and how we relay information to one another. No situation is more telling than a traffic jam. When someone lets you switch lanes, isn't it a refreshing and nice feeling? A feeling you might be prone to share by letting someone nudge in front of you. It's contagious. Unfortunately, the other part is contagious as well. You know, not letting someone in your lane when it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. Think about that next time someone doesn't let you in when you're trying to switch over. Before you call that person a !@??!!, more likely than not that person is simply reacting to the situation, current and possibly prior, and it's not registering that traffic is not moving whether they let you in or not.
Recommended reading:
The Person and The Situaton by Richard Nisbett and Lee Ross
Situations Matter by Sam Sommers
If you're a trait theorist then you use the word idiot far more often than someone who is a situationist. I must confess, I was a trait theorist for the better part of my entire life I frequently used the rated R version of idiot very often. I still sometimes find myself initially going that route but am able to catch myself and adjust my mindset. It takes a conscious effort to train your mind to go the other way. This mindhack may seem off to some but there is more than enough research to support the situationist perspective which once embraced should invoke more understanding, empathy, compassion and humor when we deal with one another. None of us are immune to the daily stresses we encounter and their impact on how we receive information and how we relay information to one another. No situation is more telling than a traffic jam. When someone lets you switch lanes, isn't it a refreshing and nice feeling? A feeling you might be prone to share by letting someone nudge in front of you. It's contagious. Unfortunately, the other part is contagious as well. You know, not letting someone in your lane when it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. Think about that next time someone doesn't let you in when you're trying to switch over. Before you call that person a !@??!!, more likely than not that person is simply reacting to the situation, current and possibly prior, and it's not registering that traffic is not moving whether they let you in or not.
Recommended reading:
The Person and The Situaton by Richard Nisbett and Lee Ross
Situations Matter by Sam Sommers
Great point!
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