Marcy believes that the outcome of athletic contests depends so much on luck that it hardly pays to put any effort into her own athletic training. Her belief most clearly illustrates

A) the spotlight effect.
B) the Barnum effect.
C) the false consensus effect.
D) an external locus of control.

External Locus

A belief system where individuals perceive the outcomes of their actions as being controlled by external forces or fate rather than their own efforts.

False Consensus

A cognitive bias where individuals overestimate how much others share their beliefs, values, or behaviors.

Spotlight Effect

The spotlight effect is the belief that others observe us more closely than they actually do, overestimating the extent to which our actions and appearance are noted by others.