Self-handicapping
Sign in to savethumb|309x309px|Cyclical depiction of reinforcement in self-handicapping Self-handicapping is a cognitive strategy by which people avoid effort in the hopes of keeping potential failure from hurting self-esteem. It was first theorized by Edward E. Jones and Steven Berglas, according to whom self-handicaps are obstacles created, or claimed, by the individual in anticipation of failing performance.
~18 min read
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Overview and relevance
- Individual differences
- Gender differences
- Major theoretical approaches
- Major empirical findings
- Applications
- Occurrence in sports
- Controversies
- See also
- References
- External links
thumb|309x309px|Cyclical depiction of reinforcement in self-handicapping Self-handicapping is a cognitive strategy by which people avoid effort in the hopes of keeping potential failure from hurting self-esteem. It was first theorized by Edward E. Jones and Steven Berglas, according to whom self-handicaps are obstacles created, or claimed, by the individual in anticipation of failing performance.
Self-handicapping can be seen as a method of preserving self-esteem but it can also be used for self-enhancement and to manage the impressions of others. This conservation or augmentation of self-esteem is due to changes in causal attributions or the attributions for success and failure that self-handicapping affords. There are two methods that people use to self-handicap: behavioral and claimed self-handicaps. People withdraw effort or create obstacles to successes so they can maintain public and private self-images of competence.