Cognitive Bias of the Day: Defensive Attribution Error
The Lost Armadillos: Defensive Attribution Error
There was a family of armadillos who were traveling in search of water and food. A forest fire had destroyed their home, and while they were searching for a good place to live, they found themselves lost in an arid desert. The desert was dry and barren, with cacti and brambles being the only features breaking up the expanse of rocks and sand.
As they made their journey, they came across the bones of a frog long gone. "You silly frog, why would you be out in the sand like this? What were you thinking? This is no place for frogs," said the armadillos.
Then, the armadillos came across the dried body of a dead snake." The snake should have known better. This is no place for snakes. What was he thinking!" said the armadillos.
Next, the armadillos came across the skeleton of another armadillo, and they were filled with sorrow and wept. "Poor thing, a predator must have ambushed them!"
When we identify with a victim, we feel sympathy; when we don’t identify with them, we blame them—This is the Defensive Attribution Error.