actor observer bias fundamental attribution error

The fundamental attribution error is, as Professor Paul Zak writes, the tendency to attribute “causes of behavior to actors (i.e., internal, dispositional factors) rather than the situation (i.e., external, environmental factors).” We see that other people have done bad things, and we assume that it is because of their character rather than the fact that they were, perhaps, striving so hard to please their superiors that they did not even notice the ethical issue that they flubbed.Īccording to some psychologists, the other side of the coin from the fundamental attribution error is the actor-observer bias which is people’s tendency to over-emphasize the role of the situation in their own behaviors. In other words, we do not take into account the situational factors that may have caused someone to make unethical decisions. We jump to the conclusion that they are bad people because they did a bad thing. That said, it is important to remember that situational factors are usually explanations for why people err, they are not excuses. The best way to avoid this error, experts say, is to put ourselves in the shoes of others and try to envision the pressures they might have faced.Īnother implication of the fundamental attribution error is that we may be too easy on ourselves, if we are not careful. We may too readily find situational factors, organizational pressures, and the like and then simply excuse our own conduct.

Fundamental attribution error describes how, when judging others’ actions, we unfairly tend to give too much causal weight to their character and not enough to the circumstances in which they acted. This video introduces the behavioral ethics bias known as fundamental attribution error. 36 short illustrated videos explain behavioral ethics concepts and basic ethics principles.īeing Your Best Self, Part 1: Moral Awarenessīeing Your Best Self, Part 2: Moral Decision Makingīeing Your Best Self, Part 3: Moral Intentīeing Your Best Self, Part 4: Moral ActionĮthical Leadership, Part 1: Perilous at the TopĮthical Leadership, Part 2: Best Practicesĥ8 animated videos - 1 to 2 minutes each - define key ethics terms and concepts.ģ0 videos - one minute each - introduce newsworthy scandals with ethical insights and case studies.Ĭurbing Corruption: GlaxoSmithKline in China

Actor observer bias fundamental attribution error