This term originated from analysis of negotiations conducted via email. There is a tendency for people involved in email negotiations to attribute sinister motives to people whom they have not formed any social relationships with. Participants in email negotiations are more likely to suspect the other person of lying or deceiving them, relative to negotiations that are conducted face-to-face where some degree of trust can be developed. This is why schmoozing is important when one is conducting an email-based negotiation. Attempt to form some social connections as a way to overcome this sinister attribution bias that may be impacting your e-negotiation.