What is the meaning of self-handicapping?

Self-handicapping behavior refers to the process whereby a person creates or chooses obstacles to behavior or a performance setting, for the purpose of protecting self-esteem in an esteem-threatening situation. A person may choose a task so easy that success is meaningless or so difficult that success is unlikely.

Who came up with self-handicapping?

Research on Self-Handicapping The phenomenon was first described by researchers Stephen Berglas and Edward Jones in a 1978 study that involved randomly assigning students to complete anagrams, some of which were solvable and some of which were not. Afterward, all of the students were told they had done well.

What is self-handicapping in sport?

Coining the term self-handicapping, Berglas and Jones (1978) proposed that some people proactively reduce effort and create performance excuses to protect themselves from potential negative feedback in socially evaluative environments such as competitive sport.

What is academic self-handicapping?

Self-handicapping represents a frequently used strategy for regulating the threat to self-esteem elicited by the fear of failing in academic achievement settings. Several studies have documented negative associations between self-handicapping and different educational outcomes, inter alia academic achievement.

What is self-handicapping example?

Self-handicapping behavior allows individuals to externalize failures but internalize success, accepting credit for achievements but allowing excuses for failings. An example of self-handicapping is the student who spends the night before an important exam partying rather than studying.

What causes self-handicapping?

Self-Handicapping Causes and Purpose Researchers believe that self-handicapping is caused by feelings of uncertainty about future performance, especially when others have high expectations of success. If one fails, a self-handicapper can blame failure on external causes and can thus maintain and protect self-esteem.

What is an example of self-handicapping?

What is self-handicapping quizlet?

Self-Handicapping. Putting obstacles in the way of success to provide an excuse for poor performance. -discount negative implications of failure.

What is self-handicapping and why do people engage in it?

Self-handicapping is a cognitive strategy by which people avoid effort in the hopes of keeping potential failure from hurting self-esteem. For instance, students frequently participate in self-handicapping behavior to avoid feeling bad about themselves if they do not perform well in class.

Which of the following is could be an example of self-handicapping?

Behavioral self-handicapping occurs when people actively engage in behaviors that will undermine their performance. Examples include staying out late the night before a job interview, not putting effort into a term paper, procrastinating, and taking drugs.

Why do men self-handicap more?

A related explanation focuses on differences in status between men and women. It may be that men self-handicap more because they are higher in status than women, rather than because they have been socialized to compete and seek higher status.

How do I stop self-handicapping?

The steps are:

  1. Watch for the warning signs. Drawing down your efforts, generating lists of excuses, or distracting yourself (music, alcohol, etc.)
  2. Use “what-ifs” and “if-onlys” to help you generate goals instead of excuses.
  3. Recognize and manage your negative emotions.
  4. Go for mastery.

Who was the first person to define self handicapping?

Self-handicapping was first defined in 1978 by Steven Berglas and Edward Jones as “any action or choice of performance setting that enhances the opportunity to externalize (or excuse) failure and to internalize (reasonably accept credit for) success.” Self-handicapping involves putting a barrier or handicap in the way of one’s own success.

How is self-handicapping a self-protective mechanism?

Self-handicapping is a self-protective mechanism. In essence, people “self-handicap” by creating situation-based obstacles to high performance (e.g., inadequate preparation, lack of sleep, alcohol use) in order to preserve the perception of high ability in the face of failure ( Jones & Berglas, 1978 ).

How does self handicapping work in the real world?

Self-handicapping involves putting a barrier or handicap in the way of one’s own success. If one fails, then the failure can be blamed on the handicap rather than on (the lack of) one’s innate ability. If one succeeds despite the handicap, then one can claim extra credit for success because one succeeded despite the impediment to success.

What are the conditions that lead to self handicapping?

The conditions that lead to self-handicapping also lead to the avoidance of evaluative information that is highly diagnostic of abilities. Self-handicapping appears to occur most among depressed individuals with exaggerated perception of control.