Which of the following best defines the fundamental attribution error in the context of AP Psychology?

• A. The tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior.
• B. The tendency to attribute group behavior to individual personality traits.
• C. The tendency to believe that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get.
• D. The tendency to attribute one's own successes to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of attribution in psychology, which refers to how people explain the causes of behavior and events.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the fundamental attribution error specifically involves a bias in explaining others' behavior, where dispositional (internal) factors are overemphasized.
3. Step 3: Identify that dispositional factors relate to personality traits, attitudes, or character, while situational factors involve external circumstances or environmental influences.
4. Step 4: Note that the fundamental attribution error leads people to underestimate the impact of situational factors when judging others' actions.
5. Step 5: Compare the given options and select the one that describes this tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors and underestimate situational factors in explaining others' behavior.