Which effect describes the difference in attribution between observers and actors?

The actor-observer effect refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to attribute their own actions to external factors while attributing others' actions to internal factors, such as personality traits or intentions. This distinction arises when a person is acting as the actor—they may recognize situational circumstances that influenced their behavior—yet, when observing someone else, they might overlook these external influences and focus instead on perceived internal characteristics.

For example, if a student fails a test, they might attribute their failure to a lack of preparation (an external factor). However, when observing a peer fail, they may conclude that the peer did not study hard enough (an internal factor). This discrepancy is crucial in understanding social perception and interpersonal judgments, emphasizing how context can sway attributions differently for oneself versus for others. Understanding this can enhance one’s awareness of biases in social perception and improve interpersonal relationships and communication skills.