On the other hand, Actor-Observer Bias covers both attributions of others’ and one’s own behaviors. One’s own behaviors are irrelevant in this case.įor example, if someone trips and falls, we might call them clumsy or careless. The major difference lies between these two biases in the parties they cover.įundamental Attribution Error is strictly about attribution of others’ behaviors. Differences Between Fundamental Attribution Error and Actor-Observer Bias Various studies have indicated that both fundamental attribution error and actor-observer bias is more prevalent when the outcomes are negative. In both cases, others’ behaviors are blamed on their internal dispositions or their personality.Īnother similarity here is the manner in which the disposition takes place.

The first similarity we can point is that both these biases focus on the attributions for others’ behaviors. But, before we dive into separating them apart, let’s look at few obvious similarities. These biases seem quite similar and yet there are few clear differences. Similarities Between Fundamental Attribution Error and Actor-Observer Bias It talks about the difference in perspective due to our habitual need to prioritize ourselves. The Actor-Observer bias is best explained as a tendency to attribute other people’s behavior to internal causes while attributing our own actions to external causes.Īctor-Observer bias discusses attributions for others’ behaviors as well as our own behaviors. Read more about Fundamental Attribution Error. It is strictly about attributions for others’ behaviors. So, fundamental attribution error is only focused on other people’s behavior.

Example of actor observer bias