Actor-observer asymmetries in explanations of behavior: new answers to an old question.
Traditional attribution theory conceptualizes explanations of behavior as referring to either dispositional or situational causes. An alternative approach, the folk-conceptual theory of behavior explanation, distinguishes multiple discrete modes of explanation and specific features within each mode. Because attribution theory and the folk-conceptual theory carve up behavior explanations in distinct ways, they offer very different predictions about actor-observer asymmetries. Six studies, varying in contexts and methodologies, pit the 2 sets of predictions against each other. There was no evidence for the traditional actor-observer hypothesis, but systematic support was found for the actor-observer asymmetries hypothesized by the folk-conceptual theory. The studies also provide initial evidence for the processes that drive each of the asymmetries: impression management goals, general knowledge, and copresence.
Malle
Bertram F
BF
Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, OR 97403-1227, USA. bfmalle@uoregon.edu
Knobe
Joshua M
JM
Nelson
Sarah E
SE
D001519:Behavior; D003210:Concept Formation; D003469:Culture; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009042:Motivation; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception