New CED – Social Psychology Practice Test

The term that refers to the underestimation of situational factors influencing behavior is indeed the fundamental attribution error. This concept illustrates a common cognitive bias where people tend to overemphasize personal characteristics and downplay situational influences when explaining the behaviors of others. For instance, if someone fails to perform well on a task, one might attribute this failure to their lack of ability or effort (internal factors) rather than considering external circumstances that may have affected their performance, such as stress or lack of resources (situational factors).

In social psychology, recognizing this bias is crucial because it affects our perceptions and judgments about others. By failing to appreciate the role of external situations, we may misinterpret people's behaviors and make unfair assumptions about their character. This understanding can help promote a more empathetic approach in interpersonal interactions, as acknowledging situational influences can lead to a better appreciation of the complexities of human behavior.