Mistake-attributor

A mistake-attributor is an individual who assigns blame or fault for errors to external factors or other people, rather than acknowledging personal responsibility. This term often refers to a psychological tendency to externalize failure, thereby avoiding self-reflection and hindering personal growth.

Mistake-attributor meaning with examples

• In the team meeting, John emerged as a classic mistake-attributor, claiming that the project's failure was due to the lack of resources, rather than considering his own missed deadlines.
• As a mistake-attributor, Sarah often deflected criticism, insisting that the unexpected outcomes in her presentation were a result of technical difficulties rather than her lack of preparation.
• The coach noted that a mistake-attributor would likely blame the referees for their team's loss, instead of motivating his players to improve for the next match.
• During the group project debrief, Mike’s role as a mistake-attributor became evident when he pointed fingers at his teammates for miscommunications instead of reflecting on his own contributions.
• Being a mistake-attributor, Lisa couldn’t see how her procrastination affected the group's performance, choosing instead to highlight the lack of support from others.