Question

Explain the concept of hostile attributional bias and how it affects people’s well-being and social interactions.

Answer 1

Hostile attributional bias refers to people assuming that the behaviours of others have hostile intention towards them although it’s not or it may even be benign. This would lead people who they do not know to treat them with hostility due to fear of the unknown. They would always like to be with their own people while avoiding other people or those who do not belong to their groups in order not to be affected. It would force them to develop closed mindedness and prevent them from exploring and experiencing the world. For this reason, they would miss out on various social interactions because they wouldn't be able to trust people and respect them for what they are. They would develop stereotypical views and prejudices towards others which would lead them to discriminate others.

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