What Is the Fundamental Attribution Error, as Eric Ries Explains It?

On Below the Line with James Beshara, Eric Ries calls the fundamental attribution error a well-documented bias. When someone else does something, we explain it by who they are, not by the circumstances. When we do the same thing, we explain it by the circumstances. If he snaps at a person, he wants that read as a bad day. If someone snaps at him, he decides that is simply their character. We play judge, jury, and executioner for other people, he says, and we want clemency for ourselves. Putting a name on the error is useful because, once you see it, you stop treating other people's worst moments as their whole personality.