Behavioural versus claimed self-handicapping, underlying motivations and attributions following failure

grantor: University of TorontoThis research examined the motivations for behavioural self-handicapping and claimed self-handicapping and the relative effectiveness of each strategy in protecting against losses in self-perceived ability and self-esteem following failure. Study 1 examined whether individuals behaviourally self-handicap solely for purposes of self-presentation or whether self-protection is also a motive. After receiving contingent or noncontingent success feedback, subjects were given the opportunity to behaviourally self-handicap by selecting performance-enhancing or -impairing music to listen to while taking a second test. Privacy of tape choice and expected privacy of posttest scores were varied. Results indicated that male subjects self-handicapped more after noncontingent than contingent success. Females did not behaviourally self-handicap. There was no main effect or interaction of privacy on subjects' self-handicapping behaviour. These results suggested that, for males, behavioural self-handicapping is motivated, at least in part, by the desire to preserve one's own estimates of ability and not just those of an audience. Study 2 was conducted to determine whether claimed self-handicapping is also employed for purposes of self-protection or whether it is strictly a self-presentational device. After receiving contingent or noncontingent success feedback, subjects were given the opportunity to behaviourally self-handicap or claim a handicap. Privacy of handicap and posttest scores were varied. Results indicated that subjects claimed a handicap more after noncontingent than contingent success in public and in private. There was no main effect or interaction of privacy on claimed self-handicapping scores, suggesting that claimed self-handicapping is also a self-protective strategy. The behavioural effects found in study 1 failed to replicate. Study 3 examined the self-perceived ability and self-esteem protection afforded by behavioural and claimed self-handicapping. All subjects received noncontingent success feedback and were given the opportunity to behaviourally self-handicap, claim a handicap, or no opportunity to self-handicap. Subjects' performance expectations and perceived impairment were assessed (in private) just prior to taking a second test, which all subjects failed. Subjects' performance attributions and state self-esteem were assessed subsequently. Results indicated that subjects in the behavioural and claimed self-handicapping conditions were less likely to attribute failure on test 2 to ability than control subjects. There were no differences in mean self-esteem scores.Ph.D