Illusion of transparency
The illusion of transparency is overestimating how clearly others can read your thoughts and feelings. Your inner state feels obvious to you, so you assume it shows on the outside.
In everyday life
A nervous speaker is sure the audience can see their anxiety, while listeners later say the speaker looked calm.
You are quietly annoyed at a friend all through dinner and assume she noticed, so you are surprised when she texts later to say what a lovely evening it was.
Why your mind does this
Social life depends on guessing what others think and feel. Using our own mind as a model for other minds is fast and often roughly right, because people share a lot. It let our ancestors predict friends and rivals without needing to ask.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Mind reading
How to spot it
Ask whether you have actually said what you feel, or only assumed it was obvious.
How to counter it
State your feelings or intentions in plain words instead of expecting others to pick them up.