What does the term 'Actor-observer bias' primarily involve?

The term 'Actor-observer bias' primarily refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their own actions to situational factors while attributing others' behaviors to internal characteristics or personality traits. This bias emerges from the difference in perspective; when observing others, individuals often lack insight into the situational factors influencing those behaviors, leading them to make assumptions based on available information.

In contrast, when reflecting on one's own behavior, individuals are more aware of the various situational influences that may have impacted their actions, prompting them to attribute their behavior to external causes rather than to intrinsic traits. This can lead to a skewed understanding of accountability and influences on behavior, as individuals may recognize how circumstances affected their choices but overlook these same considerations for others.

Overall, the actor-observer bias illustrates a cognitive bias that affects interpersonal perceptions, emphasizing the contrast between self-attribution based on context and the attribution of others' actions based on presumed internal motivations.