A stranger walking in front of you trips. You assume this is because he is clumsy, rather than considering the fact that the sidewalk might be uneven. You have just committed _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The situation described is an example of the fundamental attribution error. This is when we assume that a person's behavior is due to their personality or disposition, rather than considering situational factors that may be influencing their behavior. In this case, the assumption is made that the person is clumsy, rather than considering the possibility that the sidewalk caused them to trip.

A Stranger Walking in Front of You Trips