Question

In one survey, Americans were more optimistic that they themselves would go to heaven than would either Michael Jordan or Bill Clinton. This best illustrates________________.
a. the spotlight effect.
b. the Barnum effect.
c. self-serving bias.
d. the self-reference phenomenon.
e. an internal locus of control.

Answer 1

Answer:

This best illustrates C. Self-serving bias.

Explanation:

The self-serving bias is an individual's tendency to attribute or assign positive event to his/herself and negative ones to others, to externals. It aims to maintain one's self-esteem by perceiving oneself as a positive individual or in a positive favorable manner.

In this case, we can see this is an example of self-serving bias because the Americans attribute positive outcomes to themselves, such as going to heaven instead of Michael Jordan or Bill Clinton.