Scientific Definition
Negative behavior of outgroup members is attributed to character; positive behavior to situational factors.
Plain-English Definition
Negative behavior of outgroup members is attributed to character; positive behavior to situational factors.
Feynman Explanation
The other tribe is bad by nature. We are good by circumstance.
Core Principle
Negative behavior of outgroup members is attributed to character; positive behavior to situational factors.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
Negative behavior of outgroup members is attributed to character; positive behavior to situational factors.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Competitive analysis is distorted by group attribution.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
The other tribe is bad by nature. We are good by circumstance.
Examples
- A rival's success is 'luck'; their failure is 'incompetence'.
- Competitive analysis is distorted by group attribution.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Apply the same attribution standards to rivals and allies.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Apply the same attribution standards to rivals and allies.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
Systematic errors in explaining the causes of behavior — yours or others'.
Attributing causes to protect oneself from blame or vulnerability.
A group decides on a course of action that nobody actually wants, because everyone assumes others prefer it.
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We attribute our own actions to situations but others' actions to their character.
We favor people who are similar to us or who like us.
Sacrificing for others without expecting a personal reward.
Masking the sponsors of a message to make it appear grassroots.
Disagreement grows more extreme as the parties think more about the issue.
We accept vague, general statements as personally meaningful.
Adding the word 'because' (with any reason) increases compliance dramatically.
Behaviors spread through groups via observation and imitation.