The tendency to overemphasize internal personality factors and underestimate situational factors when explaining other people's behavior.
From Latin 'fundamentalis' (of a foundation) + 'attributio' (assigning) + Old French 'errour' (mistake). The fundamental mistake in assigning causes.
The fundamental attribution error is blaming people's behavior on who they ARE instead of their situation — 'He's rude' vs. 'Maybe he's having a terrible day.'
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