What do we call the tendency to view oneself positively compared to others in the same situation?

The correct choice is self-serving bias, which refers to the common psychological tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors, such as their own skills or efforts, while blaming external factors for their failures. This bias leads people to view themselves in a more favorable light than others in the same situation, thus reinforcing a positive self-image.

Self-serving bias can also manifest in social comparisons where individuals evaluate their performance in relation to others, often concluding that they perform better than their peers. This can impact areas such as academic achievement, workplace performance, and even personal relationships, as individuals may overestimate their own abilities or achievements compared to those of others.

In contrast, the fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when judging others. In-group bias is about preferential treatment or positive evaluations of those who are part of one's own group as opposed to those outside it. Out-group bias describes negative perceptions or discrimination against individuals who are perceived to belong to different groups.

Understanding self-serving bias is important for recognizing how it influences self-perception and interpersonal relationships.