What is the term for projecting our own thoughts, attitudes, and motivations onto others?

The term that describes the act of projecting our own thoughts, attitudes, and motivations onto others is referred to as projection bias. This psychological concept suggests that individuals often assume that others share their beliefs and feelings, leading to misinterpretations of others' behaviors and actions. Projection bias can cloud judgment, as it causes individuals to overlook the unique perspectives and experiences of others.

In contrast, stereotyping involves categorizing people based on generalized characteristics rather than individual traits, and attribution pertains to the process of explaining the causes of behavior, whether those are seen as internal (personal traits) or external (situational factors). Perception bias relates to how our experiences influence the way we perceive information and make judgments but does not specifically address the act of projecting one's internal states onto others. Therefore, projection bias is the most accurate term for this particular phenomenon.