Martin saw Sally knock another student to his knees as she rushed into the lecture hall and took a seat in a prime location. He thought to himself that Sally must be a rude, insensitive, and self-centered person. Because Martin blamed Sally's behavior on internal rather than external characteristics, which of the following attribution biases did Martin make?
A) the fundamental attribution error
B) the actor-observer effect
C) both the fundamental attribution error and the actor-observer effect
D) neither the fundamental attribution error nor the actor-observer effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Martin made the fundamental attribution error by attributing Sally's behavior to internal, dispositional factors rather than considering any external, situational factors that may have influenced her actions. The actor-observer effect would apply if Martin himself had behaved similarly in the past and attributed his own behavior to external situational factors.

Martin Saw Sally Knock Another Student to His Knees as She