Why Do People Assume Others Would Do As They Would?

[Jel]

When people say "you would do ..." or "You want to...", "You think ...", "You aren't sorry about...", or anything really where people assume to actually know the other persons' viewpoint, outlook, personality makeup, morals, past experiences, empathy, knowledge, refernce points, and so on that led to the other persons' conclusions, reactions, or responses.

Why are people seemingly so unaware that they cannot possible think the exact same way another person does? Or do people just forget all that when they are displaying their own thoughts/feelings on a matter?

Am I just being pedantic, and/or doing the same thing by not putting myself in *those* people's places, instead of just realising that if I thought/felt and so on like they do, I'd also either forget, or be unaware, that I'd also (and in fact many, many times do) overlook the fact I'm not capable of truly putting myself in another person's mindset based on their experiences and reference points?

Answers please

[aka123]

It is natural and in our instincts. You can't get totally over it and maybe even shouldn't, but of course when doing market research, demographic profiling, etc. you should. But I guess that in those circumstances it is more natural to have empathy, than for example when discussing politics, etc.

[MiamiBoyz]