How does self-serving bias typically influence self-assessment?

Self-serving bias is a common cognitive tendency where individuals attribute positive outcomes to their own abilities or efforts while blaming negative outcomes on external factors. This bias significantly influences self-assessment by fostering an inflated view of personal accomplishments.

When people evaluate their performance or skills, they are more likely to overestimate their abilities and successes due to self-serving bias. This can lead to a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence, as individuals highlight their strengths and achievements. Consequently, they might ignore or downplay their failures or areas for improvement, which reinforces their positive self-assessment.

Understanding self-serving bias is important for recognizing how it can distort self-perception and affect personal growth. While it may provide psychological benefits in terms of self-esteem and motivation, it can also hinder realistic self-assessment and effective self-improvement strategies.