The self-serving bias is a tendency for people tend to give themselves credit for successes but lay the blame for failures on outside causes. When you do well on a project, you probably assume that it’s because you worked hard. But when things turn out badly, you are more likely to blame it on circumstances or bad luck.
Some examples of this:
- Attributing good grades to being smart or studying hard
- Believing your athletic performance is due to practice and hard work
- Thinking you got the job because of your merits