The selfserving bias is the tendency to attribute personal successes to internal factors and failures to external factors from "summary" of The Handbook of Social Psychology by Daniel Todd Gilbert,Susan T. Fiske,Gardner Lindzey
The self-serving bias is a pervasive cognitive bias that shapes the way individuals perceive and interpret their own successes and failures. When people experience success, they tend to attribute it to internal factors such as their own abilities, effort, or intelligence. This internal attribution serves to enhance their self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image. By taking credit for their successes, individuals feel competent, capable, and in control of their lives. On the other hand, when individuals encounter failure, they are more likely to attribute it to external factors beyond their control, such as bad luck, the actions of others, or situational circumstances. This external attribution allows individuals to protect their self-esteem and avoid feelings of inadequacy or incompetence. By blaming external factors for their failures, individuals can maintain a positive self-image and a sense of control over their lives. The self-serving bias can have important implications for how individuals perceive themselves and others. When people consistently attribute their successes to internal factors and failures to external factors, they may develop an inflated sense of self-worth and overestimate their own abilities. This can lead to feelings of entitlement, arrogance, and a lack of empathy towards others who may not have been as fortunate. Moreover, the self-serving bias can affect interpersonal relationships and interactions. When individuals believe that their successes are due to their own abilities and efforts, they may be less likely to acknowledge the contributions of others or share credit for joint achievements. This can lead to conflict, resentment, and a breakdown in communication within groups and organizations.- The self-serving bias is a natural tendency that allows individuals to protect their self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image in the face of success and failure. However, it is important to be aware of this bias and its potential consequences in order to foster healthy relationships, effective communication, and a realistic understanding of one's own abilities and limitations.
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