In contrast, observers often lack the same insight and perspective, leading them to attribute behaviour more strongly to internal factors.Īctor-observer bias can be influenced by various factors that shape how individuals attribute behaviour. This bias predisposes individuals to over-emphasise dispositional factors when explaining others’ behaviour while under-emphasising situational factors.Īctors have firsthand experience of the situational factors that influence their behaviour. Consequently, they rely more heavily on observable behaviour and may attribute that behaviour to internal characteristics. Observers often have limited information about the internal thoughts and emotions of actors. When individuals assess their behaviour, they have direct access to their thoughts, intentions, and emotions, which can bias their attribution process. This additional information can lead them to attribute their behaviour to external factors more readily than observers who lack the same level of information.

They may have insights into their thoughts, feelings, intentions, and external circumstances that are not readily available to observers. When explaining their behaviour, individuals often prefer attributing it to external factors to avoid taking personal responsibility or appearing flawed or incompetent.Īs actors, individuals can access more detailed information about the situational factors influencing their behaviour. People naturally tend to protect their self-image and maintain a positive view of themselves. The following are some basic causes of the actor-observer bias:

The bias can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and conflicts if individuals need to recognise and account for the bias in their attributions. Moreover, actors may consider these factors more extensively, leading to different attributions than observers with limited information.Īctor-observer bias can affect interpersonal relationships by influencing how individuals perceive and interpret each other’s behaviour. The bias is driven by cognitive processes involved in attribution, including salience, consistency, distinctiveness, and consensus. They consider the circumstances, constraints, and environmental influences contributing to their actions, leading to situational attribution bias. This tendency helps maintain a positive self-image and protect self-esteem.Īctors are more likely to attribute their behaviour to external situational factors. The bias often involves self-serving attributions, where individuals tend to attribute their own positive behaviour to internal, dispositional factors while negative behaviour to external, situational factors. Observers, on the other hand, lack this intimate knowledge and rely primarily on observable behaviour. Actors can access their thoughts, feelings, and situational context, shaping their understanding of their behaviour. The bias arises due to the difference in perspectives between the actor and the observer. The following are some of the characteristics of actor-observer bias:

The actorobserver bias