Which term refers to the tendency to overestimate one's abilities and favorable behaviors?

Enhance your knowledge for the ETS Major Field Test in Psychology. Study with an array of questions and thorough explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

The term that refers to the tendency to overestimate one's abilities and favorable behaviors is indeed the false uniqueness effect. This cognitive bias leads individuals to believe that they possess qualities or abilities that are more rare or unique than they actually are. Consequently, people may perceive their positive traits, skills, or good deeds as exceptional compared to others, fostering an inflated sense of self.

For example, someone might believe they are more ethical or more skilled than the average person, due to a focus on their own positive traits and a lack of awareness about similar traits in others. This bias can impact social dynamics and personal assessments, as individuals may underestimate the prevalence of positive behaviors in the general population.

The other concepts listed relate to different cognitive biases or social phenomena. Hindsight bias involves the belief that one predicted an event's outcome after it has occurred, while the illusion of control refers to the belief that one can influence outcomes that are largely determined by chance. The just-world phenomenon is the assumption that people get what they deserve, leading to a perception of fairness in the world. None of these directly address the tendency to overestimate personal abilities and favorable behaviors.

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