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The Actor-Observer Bias in Beliefs of Interpersonal Insights

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Incheol Choi

Seoul National University, ichoi{at}snu.ac.kr

Gukhyun Cho

Hawaii Pacific University

The present research aimed to test the cultural generality of the asymmetry in perceptions of interpersonal knowledge (i.e., I-know-you-but-you-do-not-know-me phenomenon) and to explore the perceived behavioral variability of self versus other as a determinant of the asymmetry. In Study 1, the authors found that the asymmetry in beliefs of interpersonal insights was present among Koreans, suggesting a possible cultural universality of the phenomenon. Study 2 extended the finding of Study 1 and revealed that the asymmetry reflects a bias, not a reality. In Study 3, the authors examined a possible mechanism for the asymmetry and found that it stemmed, in part, from the difference in perceptions of situational variability of one’s own versus others’ behavior. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Key Words: culture • interpersonal insights • actor-observer bias

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Park, J. Articles by Cho, G. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?