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MENTAL MODEL · M5393

Hostile Attribution Bias

Hostile Attribution Bias
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

In ambiguous situations, there is a tendency to interpret others' behaviors (such as accidental bumps or delayed replies) as deliberate hostility. This is common among aggressive individuals and leads to an escalating spiral of interpersonal conflict.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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The ignition point of conflict. If you feel that 'someone is always trying to harm me' or 'he is targeting me,' first check whether you have hostile attribution bias. Most of the time, others are just busy or stupid, not malicious (Hanlon's Razor).

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In ambiguous situations, individuals tend to interpret others' behaviors as hostile intent, commonly seen in highly aggressive children. It is an interpretive bias in social information processing.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_attribution_biasZH · Explicit
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