Actor Observer Bias based on personality traits

Attribution refers to the process by which a person infers other people’s motives or intentions by observing and analyzing their behaviour (Lefton, 2000). The theory that explains this process is labeled attribution theory, which is concerned with how and why ordinary people explain events (Hewstone, 1983). Although one might acknowledge when ordinary people explain events there must be room for error, the tendency to focus on the role of personal causes and underestimate the impact of situations on other people’s behaviour (Brehm, Kassin & Fein, 2002), this is called the fundamental attribution error.

Edward Jones and Richard Nisbett (1972) were the first social psychologist to describe what has proved to be a pervasive error in the attribution process. They noticed that people as “actors”, when judging their own actions tend to describe their behaviour as being caused by external situational events (Hewstone, 1983), such as nature of task, and other people (Brehm, Kassin & Fein, 2002). On the other hand, when they as “observers” judge the actions of others they tend to describe the action as being caused by internal dispositional factors (Hew

In reference to Wolfson’s (1997) experiment the contention that people see themselves as personally more susceptible to a wide variety of influences. Studies also suggested that because actors have so much more information about the effect of situational factors on themselves, they come to believe that they are more sensitive and multi-dimensional than others (Wolfson, 1997). Resulting in denial of personal responsibility of an outcome (Saulnier & Perlman, 1981). As seen in the prison setting study where the presence of the “self-fulfilling prophecy” affecting outcomes; resulting in many consequences on inmates’ behalf, regarding treatment (Saulnier & Perlman, 1981).

Appropriate alterations need be done to measuring devices (questionnaires), inserting a neutral ‘don’t know’ rating, to avoid any misinterpreting. Resting on the assumption that immediate circumstances are powerful determination of behaviour.

Three questionnaires used in this study were adapted from Nisbett, Caputo, Lagant and Marecek’s 1973 study. Questionnaires were based on how individuals rate themselves, best friend and acquaintance; based on personality traits. They comprised of 20 single word behaviour characteristics such as; ‘unassertive’, ‘impulsive’, ‘responsible’ and ‘intelligent’. Three choice ratings on each item consisted of ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘depends’, reflecting on how characteristic that trait was of individual.

Some topics in this essay:
Legant Marecek, Procedure Participants, Saulnier Perlman, Studies Wolfson, Jakielaszek Attribution, Lagant Marecek’s, Kassin Fein, Richard Nisbett, Findings Saulnier, Catholic University, rating self, actor-observer bias, wolfson 1997, self friend, perlman 1981, saulnier perlman, saulnier perlman 1981, nisbett caputo, ‘depends’ rating, nisbett caputo legant, observer bias, actor observer, caputo legant marecek, actor observer bias, legant marecek 1973,