The Fundamental Attribution of Error

The Fundamental Attribution of Error

Photo by youssef naddam on Unsplash

You are entrusted with a task and fail to perform it, and you believe it’s because you have been occupied. You act rudely to someone and excuse it with, “I’m having a bad day.” You arrive at an event late. Of course, you had your reasons — you woke up late, there was traffic, and all that — you never intended to be late.

Now, flip the script. Someone fails to perform a task — well, he just didn’t want to do it. How could he act towards me that way? He’s a really rude guy. And she has no excuse to be late, so why is she coming after 20 minutes?

In psychology, this pattern is called the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE). Oftentimes, we tend to give ourselves excuses for our improper actions but fail to extend the same grace to others. It occurs when we explain others’ actions using their internal personality or character, while excusing our own identical mistakes or misbehaviour by blaming external situational factors.

Understandably, we are aware of our own limitations, environment, and challenges, so it becomes easier to attribute our shortcomings to these factors. As for others, we barely see any of these. We only see the individual, and as such, it is more convenient to attribute the individual’s actions to his personality and/or character.

To avoid or reduce this bias, we must painstakingly learn empathy and extend the same grace to others that we readily give ourselves. Whenever we can, we should endeavour to ask the person(s) involved their reason(s) for displaying such behaviour or engaging in such actions we almost always want to blame them for.

This way, we become more empathetic as a society, and foster more harmonious relationships with the people around us.

However, in cases where it is clear that our rights are being violated, our space or person is outright being disrespected, we should make it clear, through words or actions, that we would not tolerate such behaviour. Empathy and boundaries are not mutually exclusive, and discernment is key.

In summary, give grace before casting blames.