Actor–observer asymmetry is a cognitive bias that affects how individuals attribute their own behavior and the behavior of others. When evaluating their own actions, people tend to attribute them to situational factors (situational attribution), while they typically attribute the behavior of others to their personalities (dispositional attribution). This leads to a consistent difference in how people explain their own actions compared to those of others, with a focus on external circumstances for oneself and internal traits for others.
For instance, if a politician votes against a war, they might attribute their decision to the current situation (the war is unnecessary), while an observer may claim the politician's decision reflects their liberal beliefs as a personal trait.
To overcome the actor-observer bias, individuals can consciously reflect on the situational factors influencing their own behavior and consider how similar factors might apply to others' actions, fostering empathy and a more balanced perspective.