Fundamental Attribution Error

The fundamental attribution error is when people focus too much on personal traits and not enough on situations when judging others' actions. This can make us think others do bad things because they are bad people. But when we do something wrong, we often blame the situation instead.

Studies show that people blame others' behaviour or personality more than their own in bad situations. This explains why we judge others harshly but make excuses for ourselves.

See:

• Labels/Brands for People

• Mental Illness

• Closed family systems