4-perself3 Flashcards
self-handicapping
Ned Jones & Fred Rhodewalt
putting obstacles in the way of success to provide an excuse for poor performance
Ned Jones & Fred Rhodewalt
putting obstacles in the way of success to provide an excuse for poor performance
self-handicapping
What are the two functions of self-handicapping?
discount negative implication of failure
augment the positive implications of success
Jones & Berglas (1978)
Ss randomly assigned to take trivial easy test or test with no solvable problems
Got success feedback
- east test = performance contingent
- impossible test = performance noncontingent
Could take same exam again with choice to take performance-inhibiting drug or performance-enhancing drug
Findings: non-contingent choose performance inhibiting (to protect self-esteem)
Gender and self-handicapping
men tend to consistently behaviorally self-handicap under conditions of performance uncertainty
women almost never self-handicap because they value effort are than men
Why self-handicap?
it protects insecurely held self-esteem
paradox of self-handicapping
handicapper willing to suffer indignity of the strategy in order to protect a more central and desired self-attribute
would rather be seen as an irresponsible, lazy, whiner than as untalented
handicapper willing to suffer indignity of the strategy in order to protect a more central and desired self-attribute
would rather be seen as an irresponsible, lazy, whiner than as untalented
paradox of self-handicapping