Final answer:
Zimbardo states that our culture emphasizes individual responsibility, which leads to the fundamental attribution error. This error occurs when people overemphasize internal factors over situational influences when explaining the behaviors of others, especially in individualistic cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zimbardo's statement in the Discovering Psychology The Power of the Situation documentary emphasizes that our culture predominantly focuses on individual responsibility, which is why people often make the fundamental attribution error. This error involves overemphasizing internal factors, like personality traits, when explaining the behaviors of others while underestimating situational influences. For example, if someone reacts angrily, the tendency is to attribute this behavior to their disposition rather than considering external factors that might have caused their reaction.
Individualistic cultures such as those in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where individual achievements and autonomy are highly valued, are particularly susceptible to making this error. In these cultures, there is a strong emphasis on the idea that people control their own behavior, and therefore any change in behavior is presumed to be due to internal factors. Conversely, collectivistic cultures focus more on group dynamics and the situation, often leading to a more balanced view of behavior causation.