What is the tendency to blame our own actions on external circumstances while attributing others' actions to their character called?

The tendency to blame our own actions on external circumstances while attributing others' actions to their character is known as the actor/observer bias. This bias reflects a difference in perception between oneself (the actor) and others (the observers). When we evaluate our own behaviors, we often consider the context and situational factors that influenced our decisions. For example, if we are late to a meeting, we might attribute it to traffic. Conversely, when judging someone else who is late, we tend to focus on their perceived character flaws, such as irresponsibility or disorganization.

This bias is important in understanding social interactions and judgments because it highlights how personal biases can cloud our interpretations of actions, leading to a skewed understanding of events. Recognizing this tendency can promote greater empathy and understanding in social interactions. In contrast, the other concepts in the choices involve different psychological processes; for example, cognitive dissonance relates to the discomfort we feel when holding conflicting beliefs, while central route to persuasion involves how people are influenced by the content of a message. Belief perseverance refers to the tendency to hold on to beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence.