What is self-handicapping?

Self-handicapping is a self-defeating behavior where people create obstacles or excuses that hinder their chances of success. It's a way to protect their self-esteem from potential failure.

What are the main features of self-handicapping?

  • Fear of Failure: The core reason for self-handicapping is the fear of looking bad or incompetent if they fail.
  • Self-Sabotage: People engage in behaviors that undermine their performance. This can be anything from procrastinating to setting unrealistic goals.
  • External Blaming: The goal is to have an excuse for failure that doesn't reflect poorly on their abilities. They blame external factors like lack of sleep, not studying enough, or a bad environment.

Why is self-handicapping important?

Understanding self-handicapping is important because it can limit your potential and hold you back from achieving your goals. It creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where you set yourself up to fail.

How is self-handicapping applied in practice?

Here are some ways self-handicapping shows up:

  • A student pulls an all-nighter before a big exam, claiming they "couldn't study beforehand."
  • An athlete skips practice sessions, then blames their performance on "not feeling well."
  • Someone avoids applying for a job they're qualified for, fearing rejection and telling themself they "wouldn't get it anyway."

Practical example

Imagine someone who constantly criticizes their own abilities before a presentation. This negativity undermines their confidence and can lead to a poorer performance.

Critical comments

  • It creates a cycle of low self-esteem and missed opportunities.
  • It prevents people from learning from their mistakes and improving.
  • It can damage relationships when people use excuses to avoid taking responsibility.

Image

Access: 
Public

Image

This content refers to .....
Psychology and behavorial sciences - Theme

Image

 

 

Contributions: posts

Help other WorldSupporters with additions, improvements and tips

Image

Spotlight: topics

Check the related and most recent topics and summaries:
Activities abroad, study fields and working areas:

Image

Check how to use summaries on WorldSupporter.org
Submenu: Summaries & Activities
Follow the author: Social Science Supporter
Work for WorldSupporter

Image

JoHo can really use your help!  Check out the various student jobs here that match your studies, improve your competencies, strengthen your CV and contribute to a more tolerant world

Working for JoHo as a student in Leyden

Parttime werken voor JoHo

Statistics
Search a summary, study help or student organization