How Your Brain ThinksAttribution

Blaming the Person, Not the Situation

When others mess up, it's who they are; when you do, it's the situation

A car cuts in and you already know the driver’s personality. What would make that story fall apart?

You'll find out

  • The lane you could not see
  • The essay that looked like belief
  • A better call under uncertainty

Why it matters

Avoid wasting anger on a first story. Find the constraint that matters and decide what protects your own plans.

About 4 min7 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 42 · Zone 5

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More in this zone

  1. 37ThinkingTwo Systems in Your HeadOne part of your mind is fast and sure of itself; the other is slow and lazy
  2. 38ThinkingThe Bat and Ball QuestionA bat and a ball cost $1.10; most smart people get this wrong
  3. 39PerceptionBelieving Is SeeingYour brain sees what it expects, then calls it proof
  4. 40Negativity BiasWhy Bad News SticksOne insult can outweigh a dozen compliments
  5. 41Bias Blind SpotThe Mistake Everyone Else MakesWe spot bias in others easily and almost never in ourselves
  6. 43OverconfidenceWhy Everyone Thinks They're Above AverageMost drivers say they're better than average, which can't be true
  7. 44Curse of KnowledgeThe Curse of KnowledgeOnce you know something, you can't imagine not knowing it
  8. 45ProbabilityThe Linda ProblemA more detailed story feels more likely, even when it can't be