The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias in social psychology where observers tend to overemphasize personality traits of others while underestimating situational influences. This means that people often interpret others' behaviors as being driven more by their character rather than by external circumstances, leading to misjudgments about the reasons behind actions.
A famous example is often seen in politics: when a politician is late to a meeting, observers may conclude that the politician is irresponsible or selfish, ignoring the possibility that they were delayed due to unavoidable traffic conditions.
To overcome this bias, take a moment to consider situational factors that may have influenced someone’s behavior before making a judgment about their character.