COMM1000 M2: Self-Serving Bias

2 sides of self-serving bias

Success = due to qualities, abilities, hard work

• I deserve credit

Failure = due to situation, bad luck, beyond control

• Not my fault

Research started in school

3 Problems w/ Self-Serving Bias

• Lack of Accountability

• Lack of Growth & Learning

• Strains relationships

What type of relationship is more likely to exhibit self-serving bias?

Distant relationships

• Easier to blame strangers than friends

What person is more likely to exhibit self-serving bias in organizations?

Team leaders = take credit for success, do not want to take blame

How does self-serving bias affect society?

Environment where big issues are always someone else’s fault but credit ourselves for how good things are

5 Contributing factors to Self-Serving Bias

• Perceived (locus of) control

  • Things just happen around me

• Self-Esteem & Self Presentation

  • Pride, how we want others to view us

• Optimism

  • Tendency to assume good things will happen; surprised by bad outcomes

• Age

  • Young Children + Old Adults = more likely

• Culture

  • Individualistic cultures vs collectivistic cultures

4 Ways to avoid self-serving bias

• Learn about it

• Kind to ourselves

• Less critical of others

• Mindful of influences

Different way to think about Self-Serving Bias

Success → circumstances may have helped me → grateful & proud

Failure → actions may have contributed → lesson to learn