What is the term for the inability to see others' perspectives?

The term for the inability to see others' perspectives is egocentrism. This psychological concept refers to a cognitive bias where an individual is unable to understand or perceive a situation from another person's viewpoint. It is commonly associated with developmental psychology, particularly in children, who often struggle to recognize that others may have different feelings, beliefs, or experiences. This can manifest in various social interactions, where egocentric individuals may assert their own beliefs or needs without recognizing how their actions or words impact others.

In contrast, empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which is the opposite of egocentrism. Perception relates to the process of interpreting sensory information, and altruism denotes a selfless concern for the well-being of others. Therefore, egocentrism specifically captures the difficulty in recognizing diverse perspectives, making it the correct term in this context.