What does a high level of self-serving attribution indicate about a person?

What does a high level of self-serving attribution indicate about a person?

• A. They may take undue credit for their failures
• B. They often blame others for their achievements
• C. They tend to internalize success and externalize failure
• D. They have low self-esteem about their abilities

Answer: (C)

A high level of self-serving attribution indicates that a person tends to internalize their successes while externalizing their failures. This means that when they achieve something positive, they attribute it to their own qualities, skills, or efforts—believing they are responsible for that success. On the other hand, when encountering failure or setbacks, they are likely to blame external factors such as luck, other people, or situational circumstances rather than accepting personal responsibility. This tendency is often viewed as a mechanism for preserving self-esteem, as it allows individuals to maintain a positive self-image by highlighting their competence during successes while deflecting blame during failures. Such a pattern can be indicative of psychological resilience but may also hinder personal growth, as acknowledging personal responsibility can be critical for learning from mistakes.

A high level of self-serving attribution indicates that a person tends to internalize their successes while externalizing their failures. This means that when they achieve something positive, they attribute it to their own qualities, skills, or efforts—believing they are responsible for that success. On the other hand, when encountering failure or setbacks, they are likely to blame external factors such as luck, other people, or situational circumstances rather than accepting personal responsibility. This tendency is often viewed as a mechanism for preserving self-esteem, as it allows individuals to maintain a positive self-image by highlighting their competence during successes while deflecting blame during failures. Such a pattern can be indicative of psychological resilience but may also hinder personal growth, as acknowledging personal responsibility can be critical for learning from mistakes.