Egocentric Bias
The Psychology Behind It
Egocentric bias is the tendency to view the world from our own perspective and to assume that our perspective is the only valid or "normal" one. It also involves recalling the past in a self-serving manner, where we remember ourselves as more central or important to events than we actually were.
This happens because our own experiences are more accessible to us than anyone else's. We live inside our own heads 24/7. When we try to reconstruct the past or judge a situation, we rely on the information we have most readily available—our own thoughts, feelings, and actions. We struggle to step outside this bubble to see things from another's point of view.
Real-World Examples
Shared Responsibilities
Couples often overestimate their contribution to household chores. If you ask each partner how much of the cleaning they do, the total often exceeds 100%. Each person vividly remembers every time they took out the trash, but they don't see every time their partner did it.
Communication Breakdowns
We often assume that others know what we are thinking or feeling (the "illusion of transparency"). If we are stressed, we assume others can see it and should react accordingly. When they don't, we feel hurt or angry, not realizing they had no idea.
Memory Distortion
When retelling a story about a group event, people tend to center the narrative around themselves, remembering their own jokes or actions more clearly than those of others.
Consequences
Egocentric bias can lead to:
- Conflict: Misunderstandings arise when we assume others share our knowledge or beliefs.
- Unfairness: We may feel we are doing more than our fair share of work, leading to resentment.
- Poor Decision Making: Failing to consider other stakeholders' perspectives can lead to decisions that fail in implementation.
How to Mitigate It
Mitigating egocentric bias requires active perspective-taking.
- Perspective Taking: Consciously ask, "How does this look to the other person? What information do they have that I don't?"
- Seek Clarification: Don't assume others know what you mean. Be explicit in your communication.
- Reality Testing: When you feel you are doing all the work, track the data. You might be surprised.
Conclusion
We are the protagonists of our own lives, so it is natural to view the world through an egocentric lens. However, recognizing that everyone else is also the protagonist of their life helps us navigate social interactions with more grace and understanding.