Students perceive themselves as less likely than the average classmate to develop drinking problems or drop out of school. This best illustrates

A) the Barnum effect.
B) the spotlight effect.
C) the false consensus effect.
D) unrealistic optimism.

Unrealistic Optimism

The belief that positive outcomes will happen, often ignoring the realistic likelihood of adverse events.

False Consensus Effect

A cognitive bias where people overestimate the extent to which their opinions, beliefs, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others.