Final answer:
Situational influences are external factors that impact behavior, while dispositional influences are internal factors. The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias where people overemphasize dispositional influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Situational influences refer to the external factors in a person's environment that can impact their behavior. These include social roles, social norms, and scripts that guide how we should behave in different situations. For example, someone may act differently in a classroom setting compared to a party.
Dispositional influences are internal factors that influence behavior, such as personality traits and temperament. These are more stable and enduring characteristics of an individual. An example of dispositional influence is someone who is naturally outgoing and sociable.
The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias where people tend to attribute the behavior of others to internal factors (dispositional influences) rather than considering the impact of situational influences. For instance, assuming someone is rude based on their behavior without considering that they may be having a bad day.