Fundamental attribution error
The fundamental attribution
error is best described as people
judging others on dispositional factors,
which are factors relating to
personality rather than situational
factors, and can cause a person to
behave in a particular way.
Particularly in western civilization,
we tend to judge others' behaviour
on flaws in personality rather than
outside factors. For example, you
are driving to school and see
another person driving aggressively,
you often think they are a bad
driver or are being reckless, but
they could be in a rush to get to the
hospital and are actually usually
very good drivers. When it comes
to ourselves, we tend to do the
opposite. If you failed a test, you
would likely blame it on lack of
sleep or not having enough time to
study rather than you being too
lazy to study or not studying
enough. So why are we so quick to
put others down but so quick to
make up excuses for ourselves?
One theory on the fundamental attribution error is the just-world phenomenon. The just-world phenomenon explains our need for a fair and just world. Blaming others on their personality factors, rather than situational ones, gives us a sense of security because we control personality, unlike situations. If all of our flaws were situational that would imply we have no control over our lives. It also helps us to feel like we can explain why bad things happen; we justify unfortunate events by assuming the victim must have done something to deserve such an outcome. Seeing the world like this makes us feel safer because we assume that if we do good things, good things will happen and prevent bad things from happening. We all know this is not necessarily true, but these feelings are usually felt without logical thought.
Another theory on the fundamental attribution error is salience of the actor. When it comes to others we tend to focus more on the person involved rather than the situation that is occuring. In most cases we focus on the thing that initially grabs our attention, which is usually the person involved. It is easier for us to just blame the person rather than think of all the different causes for the behaviour. Further, to choose the cause of the situation without asking the person why they took those actions, we run the risk of not knowing if the cause we chose was the correct one. However, when it comes to ourselves, it is easier for us to focus on situational factors because it relieves us from having to take blame; this makes it easier for us to cope with our behaviours that may be questionable.
The next time you find yourself making a potential fundamental attribution error, take a few moments to consider whether you are judging others unfairly or maybe even giving yourself too much leniency. If you are able to take situational factors into consideration next time you encounter that aggressive driver, you might find you don't become as stressed and are better able to forgive and forget. Similarly with yourself, you might find that extra bit of ambition to help you get a higher mark on your next exam.
One theory on the fundamental attribution error is the just-world phenomenon. The just-world phenomenon explains our need for a fair and just world. Blaming others on their personality factors, rather than situational ones, gives us a sense of security because we control personality, unlike situations. If all of our flaws were situational that would imply we have no control over our lives. It also helps us to feel like we can explain why bad things happen; we justify unfortunate events by assuming the victim must have done something to deserve such an outcome. Seeing the world like this makes us feel safer because we assume that if we do good things, good things will happen and prevent bad things from happening. We all know this is not necessarily true, but these feelings are usually felt without logical thought.
Another theory on the fundamental attribution error is salience of the actor. When it comes to others we tend to focus more on the person involved rather than the situation that is occuring. In most cases we focus on the thing that initially grabs our attention, which is usually the person involved. It is easier for us to just blame the person rather than think of all the different causes for the behaviour. Further, to choose the cause of the situation without asking the person why they took those actions, we run the risk of not knowing if the cause we chose was the correct one. However, when it comes to ourselves, it is easier for us to focus on situational factors because it relieves us from having to take blame; this makes it easier for us to cope with our behaviours that may be questionable.
The next time you find yourself making a potential fundamental attribution error, take a few moments to consider whether you are judging others unfairly or maybe even giving yourself too much leniency. If you are able to take situational factors into consideration next time you encounter that aggressive driver, you might find you don't become as stressed and are better able to forgive and forget. Similarly with yourself, you might find that extra bit of ambition to help you get a higher mark on your next exam.
