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HomeHomework HelppsychologyFundamental Attribution Error

Fundamental Attribution Error

The Fundamental Attribution Error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behaviors. It often results in a bias toward attributing others' actions to their disposition rather than to external circumstances.

intermediate
2 hours
Psychology
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Overview

The Fundamental Attribution Error is a key concept in social psychology that highlights how we often misinterpret the reasons behind others' behaviors. By focusing too much on personal traits and neglecting situational influences, we can form inaccurate judgments about people. This error can lead to...

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Key Terms

Attribution Theory
A theory explaining how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior.

Example: Attribution Theory helps us understand why someone might fail an exam.

Situational Factors
External influences that affect behavior, such as environment or social context.

Example: Traffic can be a situational factor affecting a person's punctuality.

Personal Factors
Internal characteristics that influence behavior, such as personality or beliefs.

Example: A person's optimism can be a personal factor in their response to challenges.

Social Psychology
The study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

Example: Social psychology examines how group dynamics affect individual behavior.

Cognitive Bias
A systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Example: The Fundamental Attribution Error is a type of cognitive bias.

Self-Serving Bias
The tendency to attribute positive events to one's own character but attribute negative events to external factors.

Example: If a student passes an exam, they may credit their intelligence, but if they fail, they blame the teacher.

Related Topics

Self-Serving Bias
The tendency to attribute positive outcomes to oneself and negative outcomes to external factors.
intermediate
Cognitive Dissonance
The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values.
intermediate
Social Influence
The effect that other people have on an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
intermediate

Key Concepts

Attribution TheorySituational FactorsPersonal FactorsSocial Psychology