We have all been there. A situation has developed at work or at home or in our social lives. Everyone involved is uncomfortable and someone is to blame but no one is speaking up. Tensions are running high, perhaps approaching that point of no return which will fundamentally change everything.
Sometimes we are convinced that the people involved could not have brought this destructive situation upon themselves. Their personal qualities make them better than the bad things that are happening. They have a head for business. They are a good friend, partner, or spouse. They know and are well liked by many people. They live by an ethical code and are honest, trustworthy, and true.
It is also true that we are sometimes assume that people involved in destructive situations are bad people. They are lazy, deceitful, unfaithful, belligerent, and undeserving in all aspects of human endeavor. Since they have no redeeming qualities they have earned their misfortunes.
This tendency to assume a person’s behavior is determined solely by their personal attitudes and goals is called dispositional attribution.
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