VICognitive Bias
Fundamental Attribution Error
Your bias is Fundamental Attribution Error. Overattributing others’ actions to character, not context.
Why This Bias Happens
Character explanations are quick and satisfying. Situational explanations require patience, evidence, and empathy.
Example 1
Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that people act from what seems right to them at the time. This reframes blame into context.
Example 2
Social psychology repeatedly shows observers overweight personal traits and underweight situational pressures when explaining behavior.