How fundamental is "the fundamental attribution error"?

Abstract

The tendency that has become widely recognized as fundamental attribution may represent neither an error nor a fundamental tendency in social perception. Contrary to the assumption underlying the fundamental attribution error, the imputation of dispositional characteristics to individuals may be both logically and empirically tenable. Further, cogent address of the accuracy of attribution necessitates much greater progress toward establishing criteria of accuracy than has occurred to date. At present, evidence regarding a pronounced tendency to make attributions to situational factors may just as likely represent a fundamental error as does a strong tendency to make attributions to dispositional characteristics. Also discussed are a distinction between error and bias and some of the indirect evidence that has been represented as supporting the fundamental attribution error.