Hostile attribution bias is the tendency to interpret ambiguous or benign behaviors of others as having hostile intent. This bias can lead individuals, particularly those with high levels of it, to perceive neutral interactions as negative. It is especially pronounced in children who may come from abusive or rejected backgrounds, resulting in aggressive behaviors toward others.
An example of hostile attribution bias in action can be seen with a child who sees two classmates laughing and immediately thinks they are laughing at them, despite the laughter being innocent and intended for another reason.
To overcome hostile attribution bias, individuals can practice perspective-taking and mindfulness techniques, which can help them recognize their interpretations and consider alternative explanations for others' behaviors.