What Causes Egocentric Bias – A Complete Guide with Examples

Have you never noticed that some people in your friend’s circle might think and pretend they are superior to you? Their viewpoints are genuine and worth implementing. Do you have colleagues who take credit for every success achieved in a group setting at your workplace?

As individuals, we have an egocentric bias to try to make us better. For instance, we are always trying to make ourselves look more competent than we are. We always find and showcase our positive side to the world.

We may think we are the nicest beings, and the people out there do not meet the criteria of being nice as we do. It does not necessarily mean you think you are better than others, but you give more attention to yourself than you need to.

What is Egocentric Bias?

Egocentric Bias is the tendency to give more priority and importance to oneself and has a higher opinion of oneself. 

An example based on the above egocentric bias definition is that, in a working environment, if you have an opinion on which colour would look best for your website, you will automatically expect others to agree with you as, according to you, your opinion is the best one.  

Moreover, while working in a group at your university, you may have noticed that some people take more credit for their success. 

In such a condition, people find it difficult to understand that others may have different perspectives that may contradict theirs. It happens when we overestimate our contributions while underestimating the contributions and abilities of others.

Why Does Egocentric Bias Occur?

The following points show the reason for egocentric bias:

• Many people have a limited perspective due to their subjective experiences. This limited perspective leads to a biased interpretation of events, as individuals tend to prioritise their thoughts, beliefs, and experiences over others.
• Multiple cognitive biases contribute to egocentric bias. Confirmation bias, for example, leads individuals to interpret information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs and opinions. 
• Anchoring bias causes individuals to rely too heavily on their initial judgments or information, ignoring other evidence. Therefore, these biases reinforce egocentric thinking by filtering out contradictory viewpoints. 
• Moreover, the egocentric bias may evolve from a desire for self-praise. Individuals tend to protect their self-image and self-esteem by interpreting information that validates their abilities and accomplishments. This bias allows them to maintain a positive self-perception while disregarding potential threats to their self-image.
• Another worth-mentioning point is social comparison. It means comparing oneself to others contributes to egocentric bias. People often start comparing themselves to those who are more successful or accomplished to enhance their self-worth. Such behaviour leads to a biased view of oneself, as individuals may overestimate their abilities or believe they are better than others in certain aspects.
• Cultural and social factors also play a role in developing egocentric bias. Cultural values emphasising individualism, independence, and personal achievement can promote a self-centred mindset.

Which Factors Contribute to Egocentric Bias?

There are multiple types of factors that contribute to egocentric bias. The main three kinds are:

• Social
• Cultural
• Environmental

Social Factors Responsible for Egocentric Bias

People’s worldviews and beliefs are generally shaped by their interactions and upbringing in their families, communities, and cultures. Cultural beliefs, social customs, and parental influences can fuel a sense of self-importance and egocentric bias. 

Moreover, we naturally tend to judge ourselves against others. When people continually compare themselves favourably to others, it causes egocentric bias as they develop an exaggerated feeling of their significance and worth.

Cultural Factors Responsible for Egocentric Bias

Cultural norms that encourage self-improvement can have an impact on the egocentric bias. In some cultures, promoting oneself, feeling good about oneself, and being different from others are highly valued. 

As people work to uphold and improve their sense of self-worth, it can add to and may increase the likelihood that individuals display egocentric bias.

Egocentric bias may be less noticeable in collaborative cultures because people are brought up to put the wants and aspirations of the collective before their own.

Environmental Factors Responsible for Egocentric Bias

A person’s social environment, which includes family, friends, and peers, might influence how egocentric they become. It can promote and normalise egocentric behaviours and attitudes if people are frequently exposed to others who put their wants and viewpoints before those of others.

Any specific environment’s cultural and social norms may impact egocentric bias. People may prioritise their interests more often. Environments that foster competition, such as certain work cultures, educational settings, or sports competitions, can promote egocentric bias. 

How to Overcome Egocentric Bias?

Understanding ego-centric bias is the key to overcoming it. The following are some tips to overcome egocentric bias:

Be Cautious 

Being conscious of one’s egocentric bias is the first step in eliminating it. One must understand one’s attitudes, convictions, and actions to spot situations when one might be putting their point of view above those of others. It is important to take note of any instances in which you feel defensive or egoistic. 

Have Exposure to Different Viewpoints

Sometimes, people do not have enough exposure, thus making them selfish. One must actively look for different viewpoints and opinions. Converse with those who come from various backgrounds, experiences, and ideologies. This exposure to various points of view challenges your own biases and increases your global perspective.

Another point to overcome egocentric bias is to consider others’ opinions and try to put yourself in their position.

Evaluate your Own Beliefs and Assumptions

One must look out for information and answers that reevaluate your initial assumptions. This technique lessens the impact of egocentric bias and aids in objectively evaluating information.

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