What concept refers to the tendency for people to misjudge the reasons behind others' actions?

The concept that pertains to the tendency for people to misjudge the reasons behind others' actions is known as attribution bias. This term encompasses the systematic errors made when individuals assess the causes of behavior, often favoring internal (dispositional) attributes over external (situational) ones. For example, when observing someone else's failure, an individual might attribute it to the person's lack of ability rather than considering external factors such as difficult circumstances. Attribution bias influences how people perceive others in social contexts, often leading to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of intentions and motivations. This concept is critical in social psychology as it shapes interpersonal relationships and can affect judgments made in various social situations. Understanding attribution bias helps elucidate why people often have varying interpretations of the same actions, depending on their perspectives and underlying assumptions.