Self-Handicapping
The Psychology Behind It
Self-handicapping is a paradoxical behavior where people sabotage their own performance to protect their self-esteem. It involves creating impediments to success—such as procrastinating, not studying, or getting drunk the night before a big event—so that if they fail, they can blame the impediment rather than their own lack of ability.
If they succeed despite the handicap, their success is amplified ("I got an A without even studying!"). If they fail, the failure is externalized ("I failed because I didn't study," not "I failed because I'm not smart"). This strategy serves to maintain a positive self-concept, but at the cost of actual achievement.
Real-World Examples
Academic Procrastination
A student waits until the night before a final exam to start studying. If they get a bad grade, they can say, "Well, I only studied for two hours." If they get a good grade, they feel like a genius.
Sports Performance
An athlete might skip practice or fake a minor injury before a big game. This provides a built-in excuse for a poor performance and makes a good performance seem even more heroic.
Job Interviews
A candidate might stay up late partying the night before a crucial interview. If they don't get the job, they can blame the fatigue rather than facing the possibility that they weren't qualified.
Consequences
Self-handicapping can lead to:
- Underachievement: By constantly creating obstacles, individuals prevent themselves from reaching their full potential.
- Chronic Failure: The handicaps often cause the very failure the person fears.
- Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drugs are common tools for self-handicapping.
- Loss of Credibility: Over time, others may see through the excuses and view the person as unreliable.
How to Mitigate It
Overcoming self-handicapping requires building resilience and separating self-worth from performance.
- Separate Worth from Work: Understand that failing at a task does not make you a failure as a person.
- Visualize Success: Instead of focusing on the fear of failure, visualize yourself succeeding through preparation and effort.
- Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness when you fail. This reduces the need for defensive strategies.
- Identify the Pattern: Notice when you are creating obstacles for yourself. Ask, "Am I doing this to have an excuse?"
Conclusion
Self-handicapping is a defense mechanism that backfires. It trades long-term success for short-term ego protection. By facing the fear of failure head-on, we can remove the self-imposed barriers to our own success.