Why Malice is Overestimated

Our brains systematically overestimate the likelihood that others' actions are intentionally hostile:

• Fundamental attribution error — we attribute others' behavior to their character rather than their circumstances
• Main character syndrome — we assume we are central to others' attention, so their actions must be directed at us
• Negativity bias — negative interpretations are stickier and more memorable than neutral or positive ones
• Confirmation bias — once we suspect malice, we notice every ambiguous action that confirms it

The truth is that most people are too busy thinking about themselves to be plotting against you.