Attribution Bias in Perceiving Others' Actions

Attribution error, a cognitive bias, influences how individuals perceive the actions of others based on their relationship. When friends or allies do something bad, it is often explained by situational factors, such as a bad day. However, when enemies or adversaries do something negative, it is attributed to their essential character. Conversely, when enemies do good deeds, they are not given credit for their character, whereas friends are praised for their positive actions. This bias, known as attribution error, is pervasive in society and impacts how individuals interpret the behavior of others.