59. People Assume it's You, Not the Situation

Fundamental Attribution Error

Attribution theory - Attribution error and culture | Individuals and Society | MCAT | Khan Academy (Embed)

People have a tendency to give personality-based explanations for other peoples' behavior MORE weight than situational factors. When thinking about yourself, it's the opposite. You assume that your own behaviors are based on a reaction to the situation, not personality factors.

So What Does that Mean?

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Different Cultures Perceive Differently

U.S. & individualistic cultures: common to attribute others' behavior to personality fundamental attribution error is common common to attribute own behavior to the situation Collectivist behavior cultures (ex. China): ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​fundamental attribution error not as common

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People Can't Stop

Research exhibits that even if you know you're making fundamental attribution errors, it is hard to stop doing it, and you will likely still make the error.

Takeaways

Be wary of how you interpret interviews for focus groups for product design. You will tend to think about what people are likely to do based on personality versus the situation.   Be mindful of how you interpret expert advice on what people do or will do. The expert may inherently look at people's personalities over situational factors.   Try to check your own biases, and ask yourself if you are making a fundamental attribution error.