The actor-observer effect revisited: effects of individual differences and repeated social interactions on actor and observer attributions. 1996

R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
University of California, Berkeley, USA. rwobins@ucdavis.edu

This research examined several factors hypothesized to influence the actor-observer effect (AOE). Participants engaged in 3 successive dyadic interactions: after each interaction, they rated the importance of 4 causal factors in influencing their behavior and that of their partner. The AOE held for 1 external factor, interaction partner, and 1 internal factor, personality, but not for situation or mood. Actor and observer attributions changed in predicted ways across the 3 interactions: Actors increasingly emphasized the importance of their partner, whereas observers increasingly emphasized personality: both actors and observers substantially lowered their attributions to the situation. We found consistent individual differences in attributional tendencies that allowed us to predict who showed the AOE. Together, the findings demonstrate that A-O differences depend on: (a) the specific causal factor invoked, (b) the individual's history in the situation, and (c) individual differences among attributors. Discussion focuses on the limited generality of the AOE and the need for a more complex formulation of A-O differences in attribution.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007398 Interpersonal Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons. Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D008297 Male Males
D010551 Personality Behavior-response patterns that characterize the individual. Personalities
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012919 Social Behavior Any behavior caused by or affecting another individual or group usually of the same species. Sociality,Behavior, Social,Behaviors, Social,Social Behaviors

Related Publications

R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
September 1990, Journal of personality and social psychology,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
June 1978, The British journal of social and clinical psychology,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
February 1980, The British journal of social and clinical psychology,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
January 1988, The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieres,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
September 2018, Personality & social psychology bulletin,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
April 1976, Psychological reports,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
April 1976, Journal of personality and social psychology,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
November 2004, Acta psychologica,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
April 2001, Cyberpsychology & behavior : the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society,
R W Robins, and M D Spranca, and G A Mendelsohn
September 2013, Applied ergonomics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!