Self-serving bias

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Behavioural skills - cognitive bias.

Self-serving bias includes the tendencies to:

  • Attribute adverse events to bad luck or external factors;
  • Attribute success to one's own skill; and
  • Believe, in disputes, that one's own view is fair, reasonable, and likely to prevail in any arbitration or other proceedings. While believing the other party's view to be unfair, unreasonable, and unlikely to prevail.


Self-serving bias supports self-esteem under adverse conditions.

However, it can lead to overconfidence, poor decision-making, and the prolongation and escalation of disputes.


See also