5 Reasons Why We Blame Others So Readily

It is NOT bad character that causes people to blame others.
 
It is due to our psychology.
 
As humans, we are wired to blame.
 
Here’s why:-
 
1️⃣ 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
 
“Why do workers commit unsafe act?”
 
When the RAD group ask the above question in a global survey in 2010, 82% of surveyees attributed the reason to “workers do not want to make extra effort.”
 
When the surveyees were asked, “Why do YOU commit unsafe act?”
The responses given were: –
• “Unawareness” (58%)
• “Being rushed” (11%)
• “Do not know safe way” (10%)
 
When a violation occurs, we tend to overemphasize on the poor character of worker rather than his situation.
 
2️⃣ 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Even when information is missing, our brain is able to automatically and effortlessly connect the dots and present us a simple and coherent picture.
 
Sometimes, we are right; at other times we are wrong—and we call this “jumping to conclusion.”
 
An example of fast thinking in safety: Procedure is present→ Worker has been trained → He violated it→ He is the problem.
 
The story above feels right, but is often wrong.
 
 3️⃣ 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥
We feel people have wide range of choices when in reality, their choices are limited.
 
It fosters a “you chose this” mindset where people overlook how much the unsafe behaviour or accident is shaped by circumstances beyond workers’ control.
 
 4️⃣ 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬
Hindsight is 20/20. Observers after an accident view it differently from active participants who possessed limited foresight.
 
This bias creates an illusion that negative outcomes should have been foreseen, and ignores the uncertainties that workers faced in the moment.
 
 5️⃣ 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
We have a psychological need to avoid anxiety-provoking situation.
 
When we attribute fault to others, we gain an immediate (though temporary) sense of control. It also shield us from criticism as we are seen doing something.
 —————-
👉 Blaming is natural. Overcoming it requires us to understand our ‘blame-proneness’, and to slow down and ask questions.
👉 Learn first, blame later (and if necessary).