A cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors, such as skill or intelligence, while attributing their failures to external factors, such as bad luck or difficult circumstances. For example, a student who receives a good grade on an exam may believe it is due to their hard work and intelligence. Conversely, if the same student receives a poor grade, they might blame the test’s difficulty or the instructor’s teaching methods.
This tendency serves to protect self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image. Recognizing its influence is crucial for understanding human behavior and decision-making processes. This bias has been studied extensively across various cultures, revealing its pervasiveness in how people interpret and explain events. Early research highlighted its impact on interpersonal relationships and subsequent studies expanded on its role in areas like leadership and team dynamics.
