Actor–observer asymmetry

Actor-observer asymmetry refers to the difference in how we perceive and explain our own behavior compared to someone else's behavior. It's like when you spill your juice and think it's because the glass was slippery, but when your friend spills their juice, you think it's because they weren't being careful.

As the actor (meaning you), you tend to explain your actions based on external factors. For example, if you fail a test, you might blame it on the teacher giving unfair questions or being distracted by noise in the classroom. You aren't thinking about your own behavior as the cause of the failure.

On the other hand, as an observer (meaning someone watching you or your friend), you tend to explain someone else's actions based on internal factors. If your friend fails a test, you might attribute it to their lack of understanding of the material or not studying enough. You're not thinking about external factors that may have played a role, like a difficult test or distraction in the classroom.

This difference in how we explain behavior can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. It's important to try to understand both internal and external factors when explaining behavior, whether it's our own or someone else's.