🎓 CLEP Exam Prep

When explaining why a classmate failed a test, you attribute it to their lack of effort or intelligence. However, when you fail a test, you attribute it to the test being unfair or the teacher being unclear. This tendency is an example of which social psychology concept?

A Cognitive dissonance
B Fundamental attribution error
C Self-serving bias
D Groupthink

✓ Correct Answer: Option C

Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute one's successes to internal factors and failures to external factors, while often doing the opposite for others, protecting self-esteem.

💡 Why is C) the correct answer?

The correct answer to the question "When explaining why a classmate failed a test, you attribute it to their lack of effort or intelligence. However, when you fail a test, you attribute it to the test being unfair or the teacher being unclear. This tendency is an example of which social psychology concept?" is Option C: Self-serving bias.

The other options — A) Cognitive dissonance, B) Fundamental attribution error, D) Groupthink — are incorrect for this CLEP Exam Prep question. As explained above: Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute one's successes to internal factors and failures to external factors, while often doing the opposite for others, protecting self-esteem.

📚 About This CLEP Exam Prep Practice Question

This 3-level CLEP Exam Prep question from the Introductory Psychology topic is part of BrainForge Quiz's free exam preparation library. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation to help you understand the underlying concept, not just memorize the answer.

How to use this page: Read the question above, consider all four options (A through D), then check the highlighted correct answer and explanation. For active timed practice, start a free CLEP Exam Prep practice test or use flashcards for spaced repetition review.

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