Why We Should Not Rush To Judge Others

Imagine you're driving, and another car suddenly cuts in front of you. Your immediate reaction might be to label the other driver as reckless or inconsiderate. But when you're late for work or an important meeting, wouldn't you possibly do the same and find it justifiable? This scenario illustrates the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE), one of the most common human biases.

In psychology, 'attribution' explains why someone does something. There are two types: dispositional attribution, which suggests that the reason something happened is because of the person's personality or beliefs, and situational attribution, which attributes the behavior to the situation they're in, such as the people around them or the circumstances. The FAE is the human tendency to blame personal characteristics (dispositional attribution) while underestimating situational factors when judging others.

For instance, if a coworker misses a deadline, we might label them disorganized or lazy, making a dispositional attribution. However, we often overlook external factors that may have influenced their behavior, such as a sudden illness or a family emergency, which are situational attributions. While we don't know for sure why humans are prone to this bias, one hypothesis suggests that it's easier for us to settle for a quick explanation (the person's decision) rather than trying to understand the complex situational circumstances they're in.

To counteract the Fundamental Attribution Error, we should aim to pause, reflect, and empathize more often, attempting to understand the situations others are in before making judgments. By questioning our initial judgments, we can approach situations more objectively, improving our interpersonal relationships and decision-making processes.

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