Egocentric bias: why we feel like the main character in our own movie
The egocentric bias is a common cognitive bias that causes us to rely too much on our own perspective when considering events, ideas, and beliefs. It can make it harder to understand other people’s perspectives, and can cloud our judgement when making decisions. Why do we fall prey to the egocent bias, and how can we mitigate its effects?
Why we focus on our own perspective
The term “egocentric bias” was first coined in 1980 by psychologist Anthony Greenwald
- We tend to exaggerate our role in a situation
- Since we have direct access to our own thoughts and emotions, and not the ones of others, we are inclined to be more aware of our own behaviors
- Another explanation is that our own role is magnified, and experiences become more personally relevant-and easier to recall
- It may also explain why early childhood memories are more difficult to recall
Four Ways to Mitigate the Egocentric Bias
Develop awareness and debiasing techniques
- Explore alternative viewpoints
- Apply self-distancing language
- Ask for feedback
- Be aware of your own perception of the situation and seek external input
- Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for personal growth
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