What term refers to the cognitive bias where individuals perceive themselves more favorably than others in similar contexts?

The term that refers to the cognitive bias where individuals perceive themselves more favorably than others in similar contexts is self-serving bias. This phenomenon occurs when people attribute their own successes to internal factors, such as their abilities or efforts, while attributing failures to external factors, such as the situation or other people. This bias helps preserve self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image. By comparing themselves to others, individuals often find ways to believe they are superior, which reinforces this positive self-perception.

In contrast, social identification involves categorizing oneself within social groups, fundamental attribution error relates to how people attribute others’ behaviors, typically overemphasizing personality traits over situational influences, and situational attribution focuses on explaining an individual's behavior based on external circumstances rather than internal factors. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping how we perceive ourselves and our social environment.