What critical bias often distorts accurate self-assessment, hindering objective evaluation?

The critical bias that often distorts accurate self-assessment, hindering objective evaluation, is the self-serving bias. The self-serving bias is a pervasive cognitive bias that leads individuals to attribute positive outcomes to their own abilities and efforts, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors or circumstances beyond their control. This bias protects and enhances self-esteem, but it significantly impairs the ability to assess oneself accurately. For example, an employee who receives a positive performance review might attribute it entirely to their hard work and talent, overlooking any external factors that may have contributed to their success, such as supportive colleagues or favorable market conditions. Conversely, if they receive a negative review, they might blame it on a difficult client, unfair expectations, or lack of resources, rather than acknowledging any areas where they could have improved their performance. This skewed perception prevents individuals from gaining a realistic understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which is essential for personal and professional growth. By consistently attributing success to internal factors and failure to external factors, individuals with a strong self-serving bias create a distorted self-image that hinders objective evaluation and limits their potential for improvement.