Fritz Heider was an Austrian psychologist, best known for his work in social psychology and perception. Born in 1896, he contributed significantly to understanding how people interpret and make sense of their social world. Heider is particularly recognized for his development of the balance theory, which explores how individuals strive for harmony in their relationships and beliefs. Heider also introduced the concept of attribution theory, which examines how people attribute causes to their own and others' behaviors. His influential ideas laid the groundwork for further research in social cognition and have had a lasting impact on psychology, shaping how we understand interpersonal dynamics.