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Casteen’s decision to join Altria reinforces typical stereotypes in Virginia
Jump to full article: The Cavalier Daily (U. of Virginia), 2010-03-16
Author: Hung Vu, Cavalier Daily Columnist
Intro: Besides the health risks involved with smoking and the unethical targeting of underage children, Casteen’s decision to join Altria is ill-advised because it is also deleterious to Virginia’s history, particularly that of the University and the Charlottesville-Albemarle community.
Virginia has been progressive in the past few years to a point where we have almost shattered the “southern” stereotype. . . .
When I took social psychology last semester, one of the key points we learned about was the fundamental attribution error. People make this error when they assume that the actions of a person are a result of that person’s character rather than the circumstances of the situation. The fundamental attribution error applies in many cases. On the other hand, if every action was a result of the circumstance, then there would be no need for personality psychology.
Casteen has no situational excuse for the position he put himself into by joining Altria. He is fully aware of the public perception, did not need the money and could not possibly already be bored of the retired life since he is still employed. Maybe the decision was just Casteen being Casteen.
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