The Actor-Observer Effect

The Actor-Observer Effect is a psychological tendency where people attribute their own actions to external circumstances, but when observing others, they attribute their actions to their personality or character. For example, if you arrive late, you might blame traffic or an emergency. However, if someone else is late, you might think they are irresponsible. This bias occurs because we have more insight into our own situation but see others primarily through their behavior. Understanding this can help us be more empathetic and aware of how contextual factors influence behavior and perception.