the actor observer bias psychology definition

I rarely notice it in me, in fact I think I may be the enlightened exception. Today and most everyday, I see this one throughout this work. The normal human simply has this bias and for most of us, this bias is one that we’re blind to. However, when we act out the same mistake, we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. When we observe another make a mistake we assassinate their character.

It is called the “actor/observer bias.” I believe it’s part of the HU man condition. Modern psychology has a definition for this condition. Give me a break, we might add at the end. I say to myself and oftentimes to other ears as well, that I didn’t mean to be mean, I was fouled like a banchee on the layup and (the ref sucked btw), I’m not talking behind the bosses back (Chet, he’s just such a BAD man) that nobody tells him the truth, and the truth of the matter is that I’m sorry for what I did and therefore I am not a BAD man, I am a HU man. However, when I commit the same or a similar act, I see myself in a slightly different light. When I “observe” another make a mistake, miss a layup, treat someone without mercy, let someone get away with murder, treat me with diffidence, run a red light, cut me off mid-sentence, layoff workers right before Christmas, “power over” me simply because of their position, talk behind someone’s back, fail (how dare they) to return my call, act inappropriately at the company party, or any other number of small of large grievances, I say to myself and sometimes to other ears as well, that whomever it is that committed the grievous act is one BAD MAN.

The actor observer bias psychology definition