Self-Serving Bias

A type of cognitive bias where one attributes their successes to internal factors (e.g., ability, effort) and failures to external factors (e.g., fate, luck). This form of thinking serves as a defense mechanism that helps protect one’s self-esteem.

When individuals claim that successes (or other positive, desirable outcomes) are due to something they have or have done. Likewise, when individuals claim that failures (or other negative, undesierable outcomes) are due to things outside their control. The bias helps assure the person of their worth.

Reference:

Campbell, W. K., & Sedikides, C. (1999). Self-threat magnifies the self-serving bias: A meta-analytic integration. Review of General Psychology, 3(1), 23-43. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.3.1.23

Shepperd, J., Malone, W., & Sweeny, K. (2008). Exploring causes of the self‐serving bias. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(2), 895-908. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2008.00078.x