Self-Serving Bias

Definition   

Self-serving bias is a cognitive tendency where people attribute their successes to internal factors (like their skills or efforts) while attributing their failures to external factors (like luck or circumstances). It’s a way of protecting one’s self-esteem by taking credit for good outcomes and  
deflecting blame for bad ones.   

Example   

You are taking test in school. If you score high, you might think, “I studied really hard and understood the material.” But if you score low, you might say, “The teacher gave us an unfair test,” or “The instructions were unclear.” This is self-serving bias because you’re attributing success to your own  
efforts and failure to external factors beyond your control.   

Why it Matters   

Self-serving bias matters because it can influence how we view ourselves and others. It shapes our  
decisions, relationships, and even how we handle feedback. For example, if you always attribute failures to external factors, you might miss opportunities to learn and grow. On the other hand, recognizing this bias can help you develop a more balanced perspective, take responsibility for your actions, and improve your ability to work with others. Understanding self-serving bias is important for personal growth and fostering healthier interactions in both professional and personal settings.