Actor-observer bias: signs, causes, and how to avoid it
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Discover what actor observer bias is, including causes, signs, and how this cognitive bias impacts relationships. Plus, 5 tips for avoiding actor observer bias.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever judged someone without knowing a single thing about them — we’re all raising our hands, right? It can be easy to criticize others, especially in today’s societal climate where placing judgment on others, even those we know nothing about, has become all too common.
Enter actor-observer bias, a common mental shortcut that helps us assess our surroundings and attempt to make sense of the world. But, ultimately, it also leads to unfair judgments of people and misunderstandings between groups. Recognizing when you’re guilty of the actor-observer bias can help you avoid it — and improve your relationships and personal accountability, too.
What is the actor-observer bias?
The actor-observer bias is a psychological phenomenon where people explain their behavior by blaming it on external or situational factors, while associating another person’s behavior with who they are as a person.
For example, if you happen to miss a deadline at work, you may shrug and think, “It’s not my fault. I had too many urgent assignments and our meeting ran long.” However, if a colleague missed a deadline, you might say to yourself, “Wow, they’re terrible with time management.”
This bias highlights a difference and unfairness in how we perceive ourselves versus others, often leading to misjudgments and misunderstandings.
How it can impact relationships
The actor-observer bias can have a profound impact on both personal and professional relationships.
Miscommunications: Misjudging others' intentions can cause unnecessary conflicts and tension. For instance, if you believe a friend is late because they don't value your time instead of considering that they hit traffic, you might provoke an unnecessary fight.
Unfair assessments: In a workplace setting, this bias can result in unfair assessments of colleagues or employees. Assuming a coworker's mistake is due to incompetence rather than a challenging situation can impact teamwork and morale.
Erosion of trust: Constantly attributing negative intentions to others while excusing your own actions can make any environment toxic. Friends and coworkers might see you as untrustworthy or lacking self-awareness.
3 causes of actor-observer bias
The actor-observer bias comes from several psychological and situational factors.
1. Personal experiences: When evaluating our own actions, we’re aware of the situational factors influencing our behavior. When observing others, however, we may not have that same context. This can lead us to assume the worst, and attribute their behavior to their personality or character traits.
2. Cognitive processes: Our brains are wired to simplify complex information, and it’s easier for us to attribute actions to internal traits rather than external factors. Making quick judgments is less time-consuming than diving deeper into each situation.
3. Cultural influences: Cultural background and societal norms heavily influence how we perceive behavior. In cultures that emphasize personal responsibility and independence, we’re more likely to attribute behavior to internal characteristics. This cultural lens encourages the belief that we control our own destinies and are responsible for our actions. In other cultures, which emphasize group harmony, we might be more likely to consider situational factors when judging behavior.
3 signs of actor-observer bias
Becoming aware of the signs of the actor-observer bias and reflecting on your own behavior can help you to be fairer and more empathetic in your interactions. This can lead to better relationships and stronger communication.
1. You catch yourself making quick judgments about people
One sign of the actor-observer bias is making snap judgments about others' behavior without considering external factors. This can lead to unfair assumptions and negatively impact how you interact with people.
Example of quick judgments: If someone cuts you off in traffic, you might think they’re a bad driver. If you cut someone off, you might write it off as a simple mistake.
2. You find yourself justifying your own actions
Another sign is when you frequently justify your own actions based on external circumstances but don't extend the same consideration to others. This double standard can lead to misunderstandings and resentment.
Example of self-justification: If you don’t contribute much in a meeting, you might say it’s because you’ve had a long day or aren’t feeling well. If a colleague does the same thing, you might assume they’re distracted or disengaged.
3. Your standards are inconsistent
Applying different standards when evaluating your own behavior versus others' is a clear indicator of the actor-observer bias. This can harm your relationships and teamwork, as it creates an unfair—and even toxic—environment.
Example of inconsistent standards: If a friend cancels plans, you might think they’re unreliable. If you bail, you might justify it by saying that something important came up.
How to avoid the actor-observer bias in 5 steps
Recognize and reduce the influence of the actor-observer bias in your life and open the door to fairer judgments of others by implementing these tips.
1. Increase self awareness in order to challenge your assumptions
Take time to reflect on your thoughts and judgments, especially when you’re observing others' behavior. Ask yourself if you might be judging people’s actions based on internal traits rather than considering external factors. When you find yourself making a quick judgment about someone, pause and consider why they might be exhibiting certain behavior. For example, if a colleague seems uncooperative, think about whether they might be dealing with personal stress or a heavy workload.
💙 Learn to Shift Your Perspective to boost self-awareness and relate to your thoughts in a healthier way during this session with Jay Shetty.
2. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Practicing empathy involves trying to understand other peoples’ perspectives and circumstances. When someone behaves in a way that you find problematic, take a moment to think about what they might be experiencing. Empathy helps you recognize that everyone has their own challenges and external pressures that influence their actions. For instance, if a friend is irritable, consider if they might be going through a tough time rather than immediately assuming they have a bad attitude.
💙 Learn more about the difference between Empathy vs. Compassion—and how to practice both—with this session from the Daily Jay.
3. Identify your own biases through honest feedback
Ask trusted friends, family members, or colleagues if they see you showcasing actor-observer bias traits. This can help you see situations from different angles and recognize when you might be judging people unfairly. For example, if someone tells you that you tend to judge others harshly, you can work on being more understanding.
💙 Discover the Strength of Self-Compassion, and use it to support yourself while you take a look at your own prejudices.
4. Avoid jumping to conclusions
Actively considering other perspectives involves thinking about different reasons why someone might act a certain way. This encourages a more balanced and comprehensive view of others. For instance, if a teammate misses a deadline, instead of assuming they’re lazy, consider if they might have faced unexpected obstacles or needed more support.
💙 Take a moment to and Pause to Check-In with yourself and your thoughts before deciding how you feel about someone.
5. Use mindfulness to reframe biases
Stay present and aware of your thoughts and judgments. Mindfulness can help you catch biased thoughts as they happen and give you the opportunity to rethink them.
Daily reflections: At the end of each day, reflect on times when you judged others. Did you take situational factors into account?
Active listening: When someone explains their behavior, listen actively and acknowledge the external factors they mention. This reinforces empathy and understanding.
Diverse perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds. Exposure to a broader range of perspectives can help grow your understanding and reduce biased judgments.
💙 Pause to Breathe when you find a judgmental thought creeping in, and center mindfulness in how you choose to move forward.
Actor-observer bias FAQs
What is an example of the actor-observer bias?
The actor-observer bias occurs when we explain our own actions based on external factors but attribute others' behavior to personality traits. For example, if you forget someone's birthday, you might excuse it by saying you were overwhelmed with work, but if a friend forgets your birthday, you might think they’re uncaring.
Can actor-observer bias affect decision-making?
Yes, the actor-observer bias can significantly impact decision-making. When we attribute others' behaviors to their personality traits rather than considering situational factors, we might make biased decisions. For instance, in a workplace setting, a manager might decide not to promote an employee they perceive as lazy because the employee missed a deadline. However, perhaps the manager overlooked external factors like the employee dealing with a personal emergency. This bias can lead to unfair treatment, as decisions are based on incomplete or skewed information. In personal relationships, this bias can cause conflicts and misunderstandings, too.
What's the difference between actor-observer bias and fundamental attribution error?
While both actor-observer bias and fundamental attribution error involve misattributions, they’re distinct concepts. The actor-observer bias is when people credit their own actions to external factors but others' to internal traits. For example, if you trip, you might say it’s because the ground was uneven, but if someone else trips, you might assume that they’re clumsy.
Fundamental attribution error is similar to the actor-observer bias, but it doesn't include the self-attribution aspect. It’s just about blaming others’ behaviors on their personality.
What is another word for actor-observer bias?
Another term for the actor-observer bias is "attributional bias." Attributional bias is made up of various prejudices related to how we explain behavior, and highlights the focus on how we skew our assumptions based on who’s performing the action.
The actor-observer bias is one specific type of attributional bias. With the actor-observer bias, there's a difference in attributing our actions to situational factors and others' actions to their personality traits.
What is the opposite of actor-observer bias?
The opposite of the actor-observer bias would be when people attribute their own behavior to internal traits and others' behavior to external factors. This is less common but can occur in specific contexts. For instance, someone might take full credit for their successes, attributing them to their abilities and effort, while explaining others' successes as a result of luck or favorable conditions. This reverse bias can also be harmful as it underestimates the role of external factors in one's own behavior and overemphasizes the influence of situations on others.
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