My circumstances, their circumstances: An actor‐observer distinction in the consequences of external attributions

Abstract

People may attribute social phenomena to either internal causes (e.g., people's ability, intelligence, effort, or personality) or external causes (e.g., people's circumstances, access to opportunities, treatment by others). In this review, we focus on external attributions, which have been widely characterized as positive because they help people view marginalized groups and rejected individuals sympathetically. We argue, however, that there exists an important actor‐observer distinction in the consequences of external attributions, giving them the potential to yield both positive and negative consequences: When observers attribute others' setbacks or rejections to external causes, this may help them adopt a sympathetic view. However, when actors attribute their own setbacks or rejections to external causes, this view may harm their mental wellbeing, motivation, or self‐concept. We identify this actor‐observer distinction in three domains: social disparities, social rejection, and academic setbacks. Finally, we discuss some implications of this actor‐observer difference and directions for future research.