Question

People will _____ in order to protect _____.

(A) blame their successes on internal factors; their self-esteem

(B) make upward comparisons; their self-esteem

(C) blame their failures on outside factors; their self-esteem

(D) compare themselves with others that did better; their self-esteem

Answer 1

The correct answer is (C) blame their failures on outside factors; their self-esteem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is:

(C) blame their failures on outside factors; their self-esteem

This statement aligns with the concept of self-serving bias, which is the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors (such as their abilities) and their failures to external factors (such as luck or other people's actions). By blaming their failures on outside factors, individuals can protect their self-esteem by avoiding personal responsibility for their shortcomings.