It’s not me, it’s you.

Reason

POV: you and your classmate just got your exam results. Both of you scored lower grades. What would you say is the cause of this? Maybe your classmate did badly because they didn’t study like they should have. In your case, of course, it was because the paper was too lengthy and your teacher probably didn’t like your answers, right?

Research has discovered that people tend to attribute their own actions to external causes while attributing other people's behaviors to internal causes. This is called the Actor-Observer Bias.

Rationale

Introduced by psychologists Jones and Nisbett, the actor-observer bias occurs when people explain their own behavior with situational causes and other people's behavior with internal causes.

The actor-observer bias tends to be more pronounced in situations where the outcomes are negative.

Signs you might be engaging in this include:

• Focusing only on the negative aspects of a situation and ignoring the positives.

• Placing too much blame on outside forces when things don't turn out the way you want them to.

• Blaming other people for causing events without acknowledging the role you played

How can it affect your thinking?

If you are the actor in a situation, you might face difficulties in seeing your situation objectively. However, when you’re the observer, you view it from a more distant perspective. This makes you more prone to attributing negative reasons for their situation.

This perspective can often lead to misunderstandings and arguments. You are more likely to avoid taking responsibility and place the blame elsewhere. This can be very detrimental in the long-term as it can create conflict in interpersonal relationships.

How can you avoid this?

• Don’t blame the victim

Before rushing to judgement, take a step back and see the whole picture. Try to be empathetic and consider other forces that might have shaped the other person’s situation.

• Focus on Solving the Problem

Instead of immediately figuring out the cause behind it, directing your energy towards finding a solution helps avoid assigning blame.

• Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude during others’ misfortunes and your own can help maintain an optimistic attitude and open your eyes to other factors that played a part in the situation.

Roleplay

1) The Actor-Observer bias occurs when ___________.

• people explain their own behavior with situational causes and other’s behaviors with internal causes.

• there is a power imbalance between an authority figure and an employee.

• you are blinded by your bias towards those who are more artistically inclined.

• you are unable to observe a situation objectively because of romantic feelings.

2) This bias affect interpersonal relationships because?

• It can cause arguments, misunderstandings, and a tendency to victim-blame.

• It can lead to manipulation and gaslighting internally and externally.

• It can cause time-blindness, isolation, and ignorance of loved ones.

• It can cripple one’s decision making processes.

3) How can practicing gratitude help avoid this bias?

• It helps maintain an optimistic attitude, introspect, and avoid victim-blaming.

• It helps avoid any conflict as you are avoiding rudeness by being grateful.

• It keeps you motivated to address future situations.

• It allows you to get the necessary apologies from others before you move on from misfortunes.

Learning of the Day

The actor-observer bias is a type of attribution error that can have a negative impact on your ability to accurately judge situations. Being aware of it can help you overcome it.

Instead of focusing on finding blame when things go wrong, you can begin to look for ways you can better understand, empathize, and improve the situation.