Group attribution error

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 and the pathetic fallacy.

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