Misattribution: meaning, definitions and examples
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misattribution
[ ˌmɪsəˈtrɪbjuːʃən ]
psychology term
Misattribution refers to the cognitive error of mistakenly assigning a memory, thought, or feeling to the wrong source. This can happen when people confuse the origins of their memories or overlook the actual context in which information was obtained.
Synonyms
misassignment, misattribution error, misidentifier
Examples of usage
- She experienced misattribution of her emotions towards him.
- The study revealed instances of misattribution in eyewitness testimonies.
- Misattribution can lead to false memories.
- In marketing, misattribution can affect brand recall.
Etymology
The term 'misattribution' is derived from the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong or incorrect, combined with 'attribution', which comes from the Latin 'attributio', meaning ascribe or assign. The concept of misattribution has roots in psychology, particularly in studies focused on memory, perception, and cognitive dissonance. It gained prominence as research in these fields advanced in the late 20th century, leading to a better understanding of how people recall and interpret their experiences. Misattribution highlights the complexities of human memory and the various cognitive biases that can distort our understanding of reality.