The Tendency to Overestimate One's Own Abilities in Times of Successful

question 117

Multiple Choice

The tendency to overestimate one's own abilities in times of successful task completion is known as a:

• A) fundamental attribution error
• B) self-serving bias
• C) personality trait
• D) perceptual distortion
• E) halo effect.

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Definitions:

Political Appointee

An individual who is appointed to a governmental position by a political leader rather than through a merit-based or competitive process.

Federal Bureaucracy

The agencies and employees of the executive branch of the Federal government responsible for implementing and administering federal laws and policies.

Pendleton Act

An 1883 U.S. federal law that established that positions within the federal government should be awarded on the basis of merit instead of political affiliation.

Merit-Based System

A merit-based system is a method of employment or selection based on individuals' skills, abilities, and qualifications rather than factors such as nepotism or patronage.