What is meant by 'self-serving bias'?

Self-serving bias refers to the cognitive tendency where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors, such as their own abilities or efforts, while attributing their failures to external factors, such as luck or the actions of others. This bias serves to protect self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.

Taking credit for successes reinforces a sense of personal competence and agency, while blaming failures on others or outside forces can help individuals avoid feelings of inadequacy or guilt. This behavior is common in various social situations and is important to recognize in both individual and group dynamics, as it influences how people perceive their experiences and interactions with others.

The other options describe different concepts related to perception and attribution but do not fully capture the essence of self-serving bias.