Self-handicapping

Self-handicapping

Self-handicapping is defined as "any action or choice of performance setting that enhances the opportunities to externalize failure and to internalize success." It was first theorized by Edward E. Jones and Steven Berglas.

According to research, people will seek out obstacles to their own success that minimizes their own performance as a cause for failure. In one study, subjects were given positive feedback on problem-solving tests, regardless of the subject's actual performance. Half the subjects had been given fairly easy problems, while the others were given difficult problems. Subjects were then given the choice between a "performance-enhancing drug" and one which would inhibit it. Those subjects who received the difficult problems were more likely to choose the impairing drug, and subjects who faced easy problems were more likely to choose the enhancing drug. It is argued that the subjects presented with hard problems, believing that their success had been due to chance, chose the impairing drug because they were looking for an external attribution (what might be called an "excuse") for expected poor performance in the future, as opposed to an internal attribution.

Self-handicapping may be the cause of paradoxically limiting one's own ability to succeed and deliberately impairing oneself purely to avoid risk, maintain control and protect the ego and self-esteem.

When awareness of failure was induced, experimental subjects have unduly:
* Reduced their preparation for an athletic event
* Studied less for an exam
* Involved less effort
* Given their opponent an advantage
* Lowered expectations

Self-handicapping is more likely to occur when the task is "ego-involving" and failure is anticipated. Some studies suggest that women may be less disposed to and less tolerant of self-handicapping than men (Hirt, McCrea, & Boris, 2003).

Thomas Gilovich makes a distinction between "real" self-handicapping, where people actually obstruct their own success, and "feigned" self-handicapping where they merely draw attention to potential obstacles. People may self-handicap to manage the impressions of others, or of themselves (though studies have been unable to test the latter).

References

*Jones, E.E., & Berglas, S. (1978). Control of attributions about the self through self-handicapping strategies: The appeal of alcohol and the role of under achievement. "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin", 4, 200-206.
*Baumgardner, A., Lake, E., & Arkin, R. (1985). Claiming mood as a self-handic
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin", 11, 349-357.
*Gilovich, T. (1993). How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 0-02-911706-2
* Hirt, E. R., McCrea, S. M., & Boris, H. I. (2003). "I know you self-handicapped last exam": Gender differences in reactions to self-handicapping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 177-193

ee also

*self-serving bias
*attributional bias
*self-perception theory

External links

* [http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap9/chap9i.htm Self-deception: excuses and self-handicapping]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • self-handicapping — pp. Hindering one s own performance in order to have an excuse for failing; offering excuses for a poor performance before one has even attempted the task. self handicap v. self handicapper n. Example Citation: At Indiana University, sociologist… …   New words

  • Self-deception — is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Theorization It has been theorized that humans are susceptible to self deception because most people have… …   Wikipedia

  • self-talk — (SELF.tawk) n. Words or phrases said to oneself, especially for therapeutic or motivational reasons. Example Citation: For any age, she said, self talk represents a useful tool in staying focused. A positive statement to oneself during a game,… …   New words

  • Self-serving bias — A self serving bias occurs when people attribute their successes to internal or personal factors but attribute their failures to situational factors beyond their control. The self serving bias can be seen in the common human tendency to take… …   Wikipedia

  • self-tracker — n. A person who uses websites or other technologies to meticulously track various aspects of his or her body, mental state, and activities. self tracking pp. Example Citations: The Internet had long ago turned navel gazing into an international… …   New words

  • Self-defeating personality disorder — Personality disorders Cluster A (odd) Paranoid · Schizoid Schizotypal …   Wikipedia

  • self-treatment movement — n. A movement in which people with minor illnesses avoid doctors and treat their problems using special foods and over the counter medicines (also known, more popularly, as self medication). Example Citation: The self treatment movement is so… …   New words

  • Outline of self — The Self is the individual person, from his or her own perspective. To you, Self is you. To a different person, Self is that person. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the self: Contents 1 Essence of oneself… …   Wikipedia

  • Kognitive Dissonanz — bezeichnet in der (Sozial )Psychologie einen als unangenehm empfundenen Gefühlszustand, der dadurch entsteht, dass ein Mensch mehrere Kognitionen hat – Wahrnehmungen, Gedanken, Meinungen, Einstellungen, Wünsche oder Absichten – die nicht… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Auto-handicap — L auto handicap (self handicapping) est un moyen de défense psychologique qui permet de protéger ou valoriser l image de soi. Cette stratégie consiste à mettre en avant des obstacles à sa propre réussite pour manipuler a priori les attributions… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”