Self-serving biases in the attribution process: A reexamination of the fact or fiction question
Abstract
Examines the empirical evidence related to the notion of self-serving biases in causal attributions. D. T. Miller and M. Ross's reinterpretations of data that presumably reflect bias are discussed. The studies reviewed show relatively strong support for the causal asymmetry generally cited as evidence for self-serving, or defensive, attributions. Futhermore, a broadened self-serving bias formulation is presented, which suggests that under certain conditions, esteem needs may be best served by making counterdefensive attributions. Conditions that may be expected to elicit defensive or counterdefensive attributions are delineated. (46 ref)