Actor-Observer Differences in Attribution: A Replication

Nisbett, et al., (1973) presented evidence that male actors use more situational than dispositional explanations for their own behavior and use more dispositional than situational attributions for their best friend. The present study replicated this finding for male actors ( n = 41), and demonstrates that female actors ( n = 41) produce the same pattern. A close examination of this data and Nisbett, et al.'s shows, however, that a different interpretation of the data is possible for a familiar other. Dispositional attributions are made equally to the self and to the best friend. Situational attributions are made primarily to the self.