Lisa notes

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Fundamental attribution error (FAE) is how we judge negative behavior. When other people act bad, we assume it’s a character flaw. It’s just who they are.

But when we act bad? It’s due to external circumstances. It’s not fundamentally who we are. We’re just overworked, under stress, having an off day. 

FAE is overestimating the influence that personality has on other people’s behavior, and underestimating the influence of external circumstances on their behavior. And vice versa for us.

What’s an example of attributing a fundamental error to someone’s character?

If a coworker makes a mistake at work, we might assume they’re just lazy and don’t care. But if we make the same mistake, it’s because we weren’t given the proper instructions or were interrupted too many times.

Here’s another example of FAE: We see someone hit another car in a parking lot. We assume that person is a bad driver and goes too fast.

But if it happens to us, we only hit the car because it was in our blindspot or it came out of nowhere (um, I’m not speaking from personal experience, am I?). We know we’re a good driver and are always paying attention.

Why do we have this tendency toward FAE?

As with many of the other biases, fundamental attribution error is a mental shortcut. It’s easier for our minds to jump to the conclusion that a person’s behavior is a result of their personality versus trying to explore other possible explanations.

Interestingly, culture plays a role on who is more prone to this bias. In cultures that are strong in individualism (look at the United States), people are more prone to make the fundamental attribution error. They judge others quicker for not pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps, regardless of outside circumstances. 

But in cultures that are more group-oriented and who value the collective good (such as east Asian countries, Latin American, and African countries), they’re less likely to have this bias. They are less likely to erroneously assign character flaws to other people.

Why is it dangerous to have FAE?

It causes us to jump to the wrong conclusions about a person before we know all the facts. We assign blame and intent when we don’t have access to a person’s motivations.

It hurts our relationships on every level (work, play, parenting, romantic) when we judge others unfairly for character defects instead of also considering external circumstances.

How can we counter FAE?

Remember we all have a tendency toward this bias if we’re not aware of it. Keep in mind that it exists.

Also, reflect back on past situations that could help explain a person’s behavior. There may be outside reasons you can piece together. Perhaps think of what might cause you to behave in this manner in a similar situation.

Consider all the possibilities. When possible, give someone the benefit of the doubt first. Listen to their explanation of why something happened instead of blindly assuming they are at fault because of their character.

Don’t take someone else’s bad behavior personally. Odds are there are other factors involved instead of “they’re just a mean person” who is trying to hurt you.

And again, as with the other biases, slow down your thinking. Instead of believing the first explanation that pops into your mind, give it time. Other more reasonable ideas may present themselves, if given the opportunity to surface.

How did Jesus handle fundamental attribution error?

Jesus understood that people needed to be seen for their true character, made in God’s image, taking everything into account. He saw hope for redemption in every person.

Knowing how they would later behave, he could have called his followers “deserters” or “traitors” or “doubters.” But he didn’t. He saw them as more than their behavior on their worst day.  

Jesus also tells us to not judge others without a long look in the mirror. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). And “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Examine our own hearts first. Then we’ll listen more carefully to each other’s hearts. And show grace more. Just like Jesus wants us to.

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How have you prematurely judged another person without having all the facts (which is always)? Share in the comments.

You are on Day 15 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

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Previous: Scripture Wisdom {Bias Day 14}
“Wisdom’s Starting Point”

Next: Declinism Bias {Bias Day 16}
“Are Things Really Worse Now?”

Wisdom’s starting point? Respect for the Lord. Understanding follows.

Get to know the Lord.

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You are on Day 14 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Bias Quotes {Bias Day 13}
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Light—5 Quotes”

Next: Fundamental Attribution Error {Bias Day 15}
“You’re Bad But I’m Just Stressed—Fundamental Attribution Error”

“Understanding and believing are not the same thing.
—Gertrude Stein

~ * ~ * ~

“We would rather be ruined than changed
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.”  
—W. H. Auden

~ * ~ * ~

~ * ~ * ~

“Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.”
—Woody Allen

~ * ~ * ~

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
—Jesus

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You are on Day 13 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Our Biases and Religion {Bias Day 12}
“Is Questioning Your Religion Bad? Or Is It Healthy?”

Next: Scripture {Bias Day 14}
“Wisdom’s Starting Point”

Is it okay to question our religion?

For many people around the world, religious beliefs are sacred. Whether held for a long time or new to the faith, lives are oriented around beliefs in a divine power.

This famous quote by A. W. Tozer explains it like this:

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Should believers never have doubts? Should they never question what they believe? Are they immune from blindspots?

Overcoming Biases in Religion

Here are ways to work through four biases regarding religion. Questioning religion isn’t a bad thing, in fact, it can be a healthy way to develop a stronger faith.

(1) But It’s Mine! Why We Can’t Let Go—Loss Aversion {Bias 8}

I grew up in a very conservative church. I held tightly to my rigid beliefs throughout my youth and teen years. But as a young adult, I began seeing scripture in a new light.

I had to face my LOSS AVERSION BIAS, my tendency to hold on to my old faith because it was *my* faith. I’d owned it for a long time. 

Truth doesn’t change, but our understanding of it does. We need to release immature beliefs when we discover more accurate truths, even if it’s painful

(2) Are Taller People More Successful Than Shorter People? The Halo Effect {Bias 9}

If you’ve had a favorite pastor or teacher that you really admired, you understand the inclination to believe that if they’re right about one thing, surely they’re right about everything.

That’s the HALO EFFECT. It’s our tendency to make an overall judgment based on a single trait, such as, if our pastor is a skilled speaker, he also must be a godly husband and a knowledgeable bible scholar.

But reality doesn’t work that way. All of us have flaws. And none of us should be judged by our best trait nor condemned by our worst trait.

With our religious beliefs, while we need to seek counsel from others, we still need to look beyond the pastor, the author, the teacher, and dig out truths for ourselves.

Mom’s advice was right: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

(3) If You See Differently Than Your Group, Beware—Community Bias {Bias 10}

COMMUNITY BIAS is seeing only what our group wants us to see. But what if we start seeing differently?

This one can be painful.

Have you ever changed churches due to a church split or a difference in fundamental beliefs? If so, you know the agony it can cause. We don’t like leaving our groups, and especially not our spiritual families.

But questioning the beliefs and practices of any group is a positive step. We don’t need to blindly follow the crowd. And if we do find discrepancies, ideally we can work with the group to come back into harmony. 

Eliminate any hindrances to questioning your group’s beliefs. If the beliefs are true, they’ll hold up. But if they’re not? You need to know, so together you can change them.

Stay curious.

(4) I Knew It All Along—Hindsight Bias {Bias 11}

HINDSIGHT BIAS gets us into trouble when we become a Monday morning quarterback. We get judgmental about what happened, and wonder why nobody but us saw it coming.

Within our religious communities, we often blame someone’s downfall on the “slippery slope” we saw them on. We say they should have known better.

But in reality, we don’t know what they knew or didn’t know, and we’re in no position to judge.

Humility is key to fighting our bias to correct our memories after the fact. Remember, we’ve never been able to accurately predict the future, so we couldn’t have known all along what was going to happen.

Don’t be too hard on yourself when you lapse. We all learn as we go and nobody gets it right all the time. 

Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to question your beliefs. By remaining open to a clearer understanding of the truth, you can grow a more mature faith.

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Do you ever question your religious beliefs? Please share in the comments.

You are on Day 12 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Hindsight Bias {Bias Day 11}
“I Knew It All Along! Really?”

Next: Bias Quotes {Bias Day 13}
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Light—5 Quotes”