In what context would someone be more likely to employ the fundamental attribution error?

Study for the ETS Psychology Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency of individuals to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when evaluating the behavior of others. In daily interactions, particularly with strangers, people often lack context about the individual's circumstances and tend to make quick judgments based on observable behavior. This makes option D highly relevant, as it highlights a situation where an observer might default to attributing a stranger's actions to their personality traits rather than considering external influences or specific situations that might have shaped those actions. In contrast, the other options involve contexts where there may be more familiarity or understanding of situational factors, which can lead to more balanced judgments that consider both personality and context.

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