Actor-observer asymmetries in explanations of behavior
New answers to an old question
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6201600 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bertram F Malle (0000-0003-0845-9601, University of Oregon), Joshua Knobe (0000-0003-0733-3775, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Susan E Nelson (0000-0001-7967-4910, Cambridge Health Alliance), Sarah E Nelson |
| Year | 2007 |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 491-514 |
| Publication date | 2007-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/0022-3514.93.4.491 |
| PMID | 17892328 |
| OpenAlex | W2130464748 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 53 |
| References cited | 62 |
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
Attribution · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Epistemology · Folk psychology · Observer (physics) · Situational ethics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology
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Ambiguity in the internal/external distinction in causal attribution
The Folk Concept of Intentionality
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How people explain actions performed by groups and individuals
Causes and reasons in attribution theory
Point of view and perceptions of causality
Constructing causal scenarios
Actor-observer differences in perceptions of effective control
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The Social Brain
| Unique citing works | 53 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,65 |
| Citation span | 2006 - 2026 (21) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 48 |