Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Definition

The Fundamental Attribution Error is a cognitive bias that leads us to overemphasize internal characteristics and underestimate external factors when explaining other people's behavior. It is the tendency to attribute people's actions more to their personal traits or dispositions rather than the influence of situational factors.

Related terms

Self-serving bias: This term describes our tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors but blame failures on external circumstances.

Actor-observer bias: This term refers to the difference in attributions we make for ourselves versus others; we tend to attribute our own behavior mainly due to situational factors while attributing others' actions mainly due to their personal characteristics.

Halo effect: This term describes our tendency to generalize positive traits about someone based on one specific positive characteristic or impression we have of them.