What is the actor-observer bias?

The correct answer relates to the concept of actor-observer bias, which highlights how people differ in their explanations for their own behavior compared to that of others. In this specific cognitive bias, individuals are more likely to attribute their own actions to situational factors while attributing the actions of others to their character or personality traits. This means that people often view themselves as influenced by external circumstances, leading to a more sympathetic understanding of their own behavior, whereas they see others' decisions as a reflection of their intent or willfulness.

Therefore, viewing others as 'willful actors' aligns perfectly with this bias. This distinction illustrates a fundamental difference in perspective: when evaluating someone else's actions, we may quickly conclude they acted out of personal choice, overlooking possible situational influences.

In contrast, other options do not capture the essence of actor-observer bias as accurately. The tendency to see others as victims of circumstance might highlight an empathic view but doesn't encompass the bias inherent in interpersonal judgments. Similarly, attributing our behavior to situational factors could represent self-serving bias, which is a related construct but distinct. Finally, blaming external factors for failures doesn't reflect the complexity of the actor-observer bias since it doesn't highlight the specific contrast between self and others' attribution styles