What does "self-serving bias" refer to?

Self-serving bias refers to the cognitive phenomenon where individuals attribute positive outcomes and successes to their own actions or personality traits, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors or circumstances. This bias helps individuals maintain or enhance their self-esteem by viewing themselves in a favorable light. When people experience success, they are likely to believe that their efforts, skills, or decisions were the key factors that led to that success. Conversely, when faced with failure, they may blame situational factors or the influence of others, allowing them to minimize their personal responsibility for negative events.

Understanding this bias is crucial because it has implications for self-perception and interpersonal relations. Those who recognize their self-serving bias can work towards a more balanced view, acknowledging both their contributions to success and their potential role in failures.