Attribution biases are the errors we make when trying to understand the reasons behind people's behaviors. For example, if someone cuts us off in traffic, we might think they are rude or reckless, attributing their actions to their character. This is known as the fundamental attribution error, where we overlook situational factors that might explain their behavior, like being late for an important meeting.
These biases can also affect how we view our own actions. When we succeed, we often credit our skills or hard work, but when we fail, we might blame external factors. This is called the self-serving bias, and it helps protect our self-esteem while distorting our understanding of reality.