Group attribution error

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The group attribution error is a group-serving, attributional bias identical to the fundamental attribution error except that it occurs between members of different groups rather than different individuals.

Group members are more likely to attribute a fellow group member's actions to their arbitrary circumstances, while attributing a non-group member's actions to something in that group's inherent disposition.

The group attribution error was first reported by Scott Allison and David Messick.

Compare to the outgroup homogeneity bias.

See also

ingroup bias, attribution theory, list of cognitive biases. .

References

• Allison, S. T. & Messick, D. M. (1985). The group attribution error. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 21, 563-579