Loading...
Egocentric bias is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to rely heavily on their own perspective and experience when interpreting events and interactions with others. This bias can result in an overestimation of one’s contributions, influence, or knowledge in various situations.
The egocentric bias operates by skewing an individual's perception based on their own viewpoint, personal involvement, and interpretations. Because humans naturally see the world from their own perspective, they often develop a flawed sense of how much they contribute to group activities or the significance of their role in events. This is partly due to the ease with which one can recall personal actions and thoughts compared to those of others.
Egocentric bias can lead to skewed perceptions of fairness and contribution, potentially causing interpersonal conflicts and dissatisfaction in group settings. It can also result in overconfidence in one's knowledge and abilities, leading to poor decision-making.
To counteract egocentric bias, individuals can practice perspective-taking by actively considering the viewpoints and contributions of others. Seeking feedback, engaging in reflective practices, and employing tools like role-reversal exercises can help broaden one’s understanding and diminish the impact of this bias.
Some critiques of the concept argue that egocentric bias is not wholly negative and can be adaptive in certain scenarios, such as boosting self-esteem or maintaining personal motivation. However, the main criticism lies in its potential to distort reality and hinder accurate self-assessment and effective collaboration.
The Egocentric Bias in Available Perspectives
Portfolio M. Distel, David R. Smith (2018)
Journal of Cognitive Psychology
Contributions to group work: A qualitative and quantitative analysis of egocentric and group responses
Henrietta Schwartz, Paul Atwater (2020)
Journal of Social Psychology