On the contrary, from the observer’s viewpoint, the environment is stable, and functions as a mere background or context. Therefore, we are more likely to seek the cues that shape our behaviour in our environment or the situation. For this reason, our attention as actors tends to be directed outwards. In other words, we cannot see ourselves behaving.

However, there are three particular explanations, which are very intertwined with each other:Īs actors, we cannot easily perceive our own behaviour. Human behaviour is a complex phenomenon, leading to several possible explanations of the actor-observer bias. Due to this, they are more likely to seek a broader perspective, also taking into account situational factors when explaining someone’s behaviour.

In contrast, people from collectivist cultures, which tend to be found in East Asian, Latin American, and African countries, are more group or relationship-oriented. Here, a person’s character is thought to be the primary explanation for their behavior. Individualistic cultures, which tend to be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, are more achievement-oriented. Culture impacts the way we perceive the world, which in turn influences the attributions we make. Note: Attribution & cultureThe idea behind attribution is that all people think more or less in the same way, and thus are equally prone to actor-observer bias. Internal (or dispositional) attribution interprets someone’s behaviour to their personality or disposition.Īs a result of actor-observer bias, the attributions we make depend directly on whether we are the actor or the observer.External (or situational) attribution interprets someone’s behaviour as being caused by their environment, or by factors outside of their control.Because we are usually unaware of this process, it is prone to bias. On a typical day, we make numerous attributions about our own behavior and the behavior of others.

In psychology, attribution refers to how we perceive and explain the causes of behavior. This erroneous, or mistaken, assumption on the observer’s part is called fundamental attribution error. However, when we are in the role of the observer explaining the behavior of others, we are more likely to blame their character. More specifically, it is a type of attribution bias, a bias that occurs when we form judgements and assumptions about why people behave in certain ways.Īccording to the actor-observer bias, we are more likely to attribute our actions to external circumstances, rather than to our personality. Actor-observer bias (or actor-observer asymmetry) is a type of cognitive bias, or an error in thinking.

What is the actor observer bias