The tendency, in explaining one's own behaviour, to take credit for one's good actions and rationalize one's mistakes is called:
A) validity effect.
B) fundamental attribution error.
C) self-serving bias.
D) attitude.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tendency described in the question is the self-serving bias, where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors (such as personal abilities or effort) and their failures to external factors (such as luck or other people's actions). Choice A (validity effect) is a phenomenon where people tend to believe information that confirms their existing beliefs, rather than questioning them objectively. Choice B (fundamental attribution error) is the tendency to overemphasize dispositional (personality) factors when explaining others' behaviour, rather than situational factors. Choice D (attitude) refers to a general evaluation (positive or negative) of a person, object or idea.

The Tendency, in Explaining One's Own Behaviour, to Take Credit