What is an example of the fundamental attribution error?

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency for individuals to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining other people's behavior. In this context, the example that aligns with this concept is the inclination to blame external circumstances for one's own mistakes.

When individuals recognize that their own errors are due to situational factors rather than personal flaws or characteristics, it reflects a different cognitive bias. In contrast, the fundamental attribution error typically involves an observer attributing someone else's failure to their personality while neglecting external factors that may have contributed. Therefore, the awareness of circumstances leading to personal mistakes does not illustrate the fundamental attribution error effectively, as it goes against the very definition of the bias.

In summary, this option demonstrates the awareness of external factors, which contrasts with the fundamental attribution error, where people often ignore such elements when judging others’ behaviors.