Reducing the tendency to self-handicap: The effect of self-affirmation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2005
Department
College of Business
Abstract
Self-handicapping, the creating or claiming of obstacles to one's performance to influence explanations given for subsequent outcomes, has been shown to have a host of attitudinal and behavioral consequences. Given the wide ranging impact of self-handicapping, it is important to understand the conditions under which self-handicapping is more or less likely to occur. Accordingly, the present study tested the hypothesis that people will be less likely to engage in self-handicapping if they have previously engaged in self-affirmation. The results of this study found that self-affirmation was more effective in reducing self-handicapping behavior when individuals experienced non-contingent success than when they experience contingent success. Theoretical contributions to the self-handicapping and self-affirmation literatures are discussed, as are practical implications.
Publication Title
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Recommended Citation
Siegel, P.,
Scillitoe, J.,
&
Parks-Yancy, R.
(2005).
Reducing the tendency to self-handicap: The effect of self-affirmation.
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology,
41(6), 589-597.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2004.11.004
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/6684
