Actor-observer hypothesis
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What is the actor-observer hypothesis? How does this phenomenon manifest in the individual and society?
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Solution Summary
The actor-observer hypothesis is when individuals explain their own behavior by external causal factors while using internal causal factors to explain similar behavior when observed in another. This solution explains this hypothesis in greater detail and provides multiple examples. Additionally, this solution includes one reference for further investigation of the topic.
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As early as the 1970s, the actor-observer hypothesis (aka actor-observer bias) was formulated. Over the years this hypothesis has been proven repeatedly in a multitude of social psychological research studies. Simply, the actor-observer hypothesis is when individuals explain their own behavior by external causal factors while using internal factors to explain similar behavior when observed in another (Malle, 2006).
An example of this would be would be when Tom explains that his ...
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