Self-serving bias

Any bias in thought reflecting false credit or falsely abrogating blame, especially on external factors. For example, a student unsuccessful in an exam blames their instructor’s shortcomings without even considering his or her own weaknesses or failings.

(see also: Fundamental attribution error, Co-variation, Actor-Observer difference, cognitive bias, motivational bias, schema, metacognitive shortfall, regressive fallacy, wishful thinking)

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Glossary of selected Judgement & Decision-making, Belief-related, and other Psychology terms A-Z »