Fundamental attribution error Victimology

in social psychology, fundamental attribution error (also known correspondence bias or attribution effect) describes tendency over-value dispositional or personality-based explanations observed behaviors of others while under-valuing situational explanations behaviors. term coined lee ross years after now-classic experiment edward e. jones , victor harris (1967).

the fundamental attribution error visible when people explain behavior of others. not explain interpretations of 1 s own behavior—where situational factors taken consideration. discrepancy called actor–observer bias. simple example, if alice saw bob trip on rock , fall, alice might consider bob clumsy or careless (dispositional). if alice later tripped on same rock herself, more blame placement of rock (situational). victim proneness or victim blaming can form of fundamental attribution error, , more specifically, just-world phenomenon.

the just-world phenomenon belief people deserve , deserve get, first theorized melvin lerner (1977). attributing failures dispositional causes rather situational causes, unchangeable , uncontrollable, satisfies our need believe world fair , have control on our life. motivated see world because reduces our perceived threats, gives sense of security, helps find meaning in difficult , unsettling circumstances, , benefits psychologically. unfortunately, just-world hypothesis results in tendency people blame , disparage victims of tragedy or accident, such victims of rape , domestic abuse reassure of insusceptibility such events. people may blame victim s faults in past lives pursue justification bad outcome.