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Behaviour has a situation behind it
Attribution bias can overemphasise personality and underweight circumstances.
The idea
We often know less about another person's pressures than our own. One action is weak evidence of a permanent trait.
An example
A late colleague seems careless until you learn their train was cancelled.
Put it into practice
Look for a situational explanation before labelling someone.
Further reading: OpenStax · Psychology 2e ↗
Test yourself: What information could improve your judgement of a late colleague?
The circumstances of their journey
Situational information can reveal causes that a personality judgement misses.
Explanation and illustrative examples by One Card Wiser. Source linked for further reading.
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