The fundamental attribution error is a common psychological phenomenon where people tend to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior. For example, if a colleague at work, like John, misses a deadline, we might think he is lazy or disorganized, rather than considering that he might have been dealing with personal issues or a heavy workload. This error highlights how we often judge others harshly while being more forgiving of ourselves. If we miss a deadline, we might blame external factors, such as traffic or unexpected tasks, rather than acknowledging our own shortcomings. This bias can lead to misunderstandings and strained relationships.