The Fundamental Attribution Error

I had a conversation earlier this week where someone assumed that I colour my hair because I don’t like the grey that aging brings. I don’t mind my grey hairs! No, it’s because I LOVE colour! Nobody looks at my hair and wonders – oooh is that natural?

Although that’s a trivial example, I realised I haven’t talked about Fundamental Attribution Errors lately.  This is where people interpret the actions of others incorrectly.

There is a human tendency to attribute what we perceive as negative or frustrating behaviours of those around us as flaws in their character or personality, but we put our own negative or irritating behaviours down to environmental factors i.e. it’s not our fault!

Think of that time when you saw a person speed through an orange light or nearly miss an oncoming car and thought that they are such an inconsiderate bad driver! Think again of the time when you had a near miss but gave thanks that even with so much racing through your mind making it so difficult to focus on driving, you were okay. 
Fundamental attribution error alert!

Jesus put it this way ‘“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

While the Spirit is given to us to help us discern, it’s not for the sake of criticism but so that we may intercede as priests on others’ behalf, and maybe, where appropriate, give wise counsel. To be quick to recognise what God is doing in people’s lives and expressing gratitude for them.

So this week, don’t fall into the fundamental attribution error trap. If you are close enough to see someone with a foreign object in their eye (i.e a speck of sawdust), take them to a doctor, the Great Physician (i.e. God) in prayer. And if you start to wonder if there might be other reasons for their actions rather than the ones you first think of, I think Jesus would say ‘ka mau te wehi, that’s awesome!’

Colleen