Definition

Fundamental Attribution Error

The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias describing the common tendency to overemphasize internal, dispositional factors as explanations for someone else's behavior while underestimating the impact of external, situational factors. People committing this error often overlook even obvious situational influences, incorrectly assuming that a person's actions directly reflect their personality rather than their circumstances. This tendency is particularly prevalent in cultures that favor a dispositional view of human behavior, such as in the United States.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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