Psychology MCAT Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide for Aspiring Psychologists.

Question: 1 / 400

Which psychological concept relates to the tendency to underestimate external factors in explaining one's successes?

Fundamental attribution error

Self-serving bias

The correct answer is the self-serving bias, which refers to the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors (like their ability or hard work) while blaming external factors (like bad luck or the actions of others) for their failures. This cognitive bias serves to enhance self-esteem and protect one's self-image. For example, if a student does well on an exam, they may credit their intelligence or effort; conversely, if they perform poorly, they might attribute that to the difficulty of the test or insufficient teaching.

This concept highlights how our perceptions of success and failure are influenced by psychological factors, leading individuals to create a narrative that favors their self-perception. By understanding this bias, one can become more aware of how it affects personal evaluations and judgments, resulting in a more balanced view of both success and failure.

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Confirmation bias

Actor-observer effect

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