What Is Self-Handicapping in Psychology?

Close

Self-handicapping involves engaging in behaviors that sabotage your chances of success. Why would people do things that might make them more likely to fail? We all want to feel good about ourselves, but researchers have found that we hurt our chances of success to avoid taking responsibility for our failures.

For example, students might stay out all night to avoid studying when faced with an important exam. Then when they do poorly, they can blame their poor scores on their friends for keeping them out late rather than their own lack of intelligence.

At a GlanceSimply put, self-handicapping allows people to find an outside source to blame for possible failures. This protects us from feelings of inadequacy but hinders personal growth. Recognizing this tendency to stand in your own way is the first step toward overcoming it.

At a Glance

Simply put, self-handicapping allows people to find an outside source to blame for possible failures. This protects us from feelings of inadequacy but hinders personal growth. Recognizing this tendency to stand in your own way is the first step toward overcoming it.

Why Do People Self-Handicap?

We all have a strong need to blame our failures on outside forces while taking personal credit for our successes. This behavior protects ourself-esteembut can also make us do things that make us less likely to succeed.

This tendency is known as self-handicapping, a self-sabotaging action or choice that prevents people from taking personal responsibility for outcomes. Essentially, people create obstacles so that any possible failures can then be blamed on these outside forces.

If we fail because of our lack of skill or preparation, it can hurt our self-confidence and create discomfort. After all, it hurts to look at our failures and realize that we have only ourselves to blame.

By engaging in actions that undermine possible success, people avoid having to face the truth and accept their own deficiencies.

We are more likely to self-handicap when our self-concept is threatened, and we feel unsure about our ability to succeed.

Examples of Self-Handicapping

There are many different forms of self-handicapping. Sometimes this behavior can be fairly innocuous, but in some instances, it can be much more serious. In some cases, it might even drive people to engage in potentially dangerous behavior.

Some examples of self-handicapping in psychology include:

The Self-Serving Bias and Self-Handicapping

Researchers have suggested that self-handicapping can be linked to what is known as theself-serving bias, in which people claim personal credit for success but blame outside forces for their failures.

Imagine, for example, that you have been preparing to compete in your very first marathon. You’ve been following a training schedule and eating a healthy diet, but as race day approaches, you are doubting your ability to finish.

In the weeks and days leading up to the big race, you skip training sessions and binge eat junk food. You feel sluggish when the day finally arrives to compete in the marathon. As a result of these self-handicapping behaviors, you can blame your inability to finish the race on being out of shape or bloated rather than your possible lack of ability.

Classic Research on Self-Handicapping

Afterward, all of the students were told they had done well. This feedback was clearly unsettling and confusing to the participants who had been given the unsolvable anagrams. They were told they had done well but had no idea how or why they had. The volunteers were then asked if they wanted to take a performance-enhancing or performance-inhibiting drug before taking another test.

Surprisingly, 70% of those given the unsolvable anagrams opted to take the performance-inhibiting drug, compared to just 13% of those given the solvable anagrams.

Why would some choose a drug designed to impair their performance on a test? These results suggest that when people are confident in their abilities to perform a task, they prefer to be given something that would help them perform even better.

However, people unsure of their abilities are more likely to want the drug that will hurt their performance, thus giving them an external source to blame for their possible failures.

What Are the Effects of Self-Handicapping?

The purpose of all this self-sabotage is to protect theegoand self-esteem. While this may work in the short term, sabotaging yourself can reduce self-esteem over the long term.

For many people, these behaviors happen almostautomatically. We devise excuses for failure before we’ve even tried, but we often do sounconsciously.

Unfortunately, self-handicapping has many adverse consequences.

In a series of experiments, researchers manipulated participants' scores onIQ tests. Some participants were given the choice to either prepare for the test or join a “no practice” group.

Those who then received bad scores were more likely to blame their lack of practice, but subsequent research also found that people who had an excuse for their low scores (i.e., distractions, lack of preparation, etc.) were less motivated to prepare for a future test than those who didn’t have an external source to blame.

Self-handicapping allows people to feel that they did okay despite the obstacles (even though those obstacles are self-created). The result is that people have no drive to do better.

Other Adverse Effects

More negative consequences of self-handicapping:

How to Overcome Self-Handicapping

Self-handicapping can protect the ego, but it comes with significant costs. Placing obstacles to success might provide excuses for failures, but it also makes us more likely to fail. Do you sabotage yourself so you can keep feeling good about yourself? Or do you give it your all and risk failure?

The research suggests that while your self-esteem might take a temporary hit, giving up self-handicapping behaviors might be better for future success. If you tend to place obstacles in the path of your success, a few strategies might help.

Press Play for Advice on Limiting Self-Sabotaging Behavior

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Török L, Szabó ZP, Orosz G.Promoting a growth mindset decreases behavioral self-handicapping among students who are on the fixed side of the mindset continuum.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7454. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11547-4Neureiter M, Traut-Mattausch E.An inner barrier to career development: preconditions of the impostor phenomenon and consequences for career development.Front Psychol. 2016;7:48. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00048Curtis RC.Self-defeating behaviors. In:Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier; 2017:B9780128093245065000. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.06551-2Isleib RA, Vuchinich RE, Tucker JA.Performance attributions and changes in self-esteem following self-handicapping with alcohol consumption.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1988;6(1):88-103. doi:10.1521/jscp.1988.6.1.88Boruchovitch E, Rufini SE, Ganda DR, Miranda LC, de Almeida LS.Self-handicapping strategies in educational context: construction and validation of the Brazilian Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale (EEAPREJ).Psicol Reflex Crit. 2022;35(1):8. doi:10.1186/s41155-022-00210-6Shepperd JA, Arkin RM.Determinants of self-handicapping: task importance and the effects of preexisting handicaps on self-generated handicaps.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 1989;15(1):101-112. doi:10.1177/0146167289151010Berglas S, Jones EE.Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success.J Pers Soc Psychol. 1978;36(4):405-417. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.36.4.405Yavuzer Y.Investigating the relationship between self-handicapping tendencies, self-esteem and cognitive distortions.Educ Sci-Theor Pract. doi:10.12738/estp.2015.4.2434Barutçu Yıldırım F, Demir A.Self-handicapping among university students: the role of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion.Psychol Rep. 2020;123(3):825-843. doi:10.1177/0033294118825099Levesque MJ, Lowe CA, Mendenhall C.Self-handicapping as a method of self-presentation: An analysis of costs and benefits.Current Research in Social Psychology.2001;6(15).Zarshenas L, Jahromi LA, Jahromi MF, Manshadi MD.Self-handicapping among nursing students: an interventional study.BMC Med Educ. 2019;19(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1441-6Additional ReadingBaumeister RF, Bushman BJ.Social Psychology & Human Nature. United States: Thomson Wadsworth. 2008.McCrea SM.Self-handicapping, excuse making, and counterfactual thinking: Consequences for self-esteem and future motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2008:95(2);274–292.Tice DM, Baumeister RF (2006).Self-esteem, self-handicapping, and self-presentation: The strategy of inadequate preparation.Journal of Personality. 2006:58(2);443-464.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Török L, Szabó ZP, Orosz G.Promoting a growth mindset decreases behavioral self-handicapping among students who are on the fixed side of the mindset continuum.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7454. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11547-4Neureiter M, Traut-Mattausch E.An inner barrier to career development: preconditions of the impostor phenomenon and consequences for career development.Front Psychol. 2016;7:48. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00048Curtis RC.Self-defeating behaviors. In:Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier; 2017:B9780128093245065000. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.06551-2Isleib RA, Vuchinich RE, Tucker JA.Performance attributions and changes in self-esteem following self-handicapping with alcohol consumption.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1988;6(1):88-103. doi:10.1521/jscp.1988.6.1.88Boruchovitch E, Rufini SE, Ganda DR, Miranda LC, de Almeida LS.Self-handicapping strategies in educational context: construction and validation of the Brazilian Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale (EEAPREJ).Psicol Reflex Crit. 2022;35(1):8. doi:10.1186/s41155-022-00210-6Shepperd JA, Arkin RM.Determinants of self-handicapping: task importance and the effects of preexisting handicaps on self-generated handicaps.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 1989;15(1):101-112. doi:10.1177/0146167289151010Berglas S, Jones EE.Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success.J Pers Soc Psychol. 1978;36(4):405-417. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.36.4.405Yavuzer Y.Investigating the relationship between self-handicapping tendencies, self-esteem and cognitive distortions.Educ Sci-Theor Pract. doi:10.12738/estp.2015.4.2434Barutçu Yıldırım F, Demir A.Self-handicapping among university students: the role of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion.Psychol Rep. 2020;123(3):825-843. doi:10.1177/0033294118825099Levesque MJ, Lowe CA, Mendenhall C.Self-handicapping as a method of self-presentation: An analysis of costs and benefits.Current Research in Social Psychology.2001;6(15).Zarshenas L, Jahromi LA, Jahromi MF, Manshadi MD.Self-handicapping among nursing students: an interventional study.BMC Med Educ. 2019;19(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1441-6Additional ReadingBaumeister RF, Bushman BJ.Social Psychology & Human Nature. United States: Thomson Wadsworth. 2008.McCrea SM.Self-handicapping, excuse making, and counterfactual thinking: Consequences for self-esteem and future motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2008:95(2);274–292.Tice DM, Baumeister RF (2006).Self-esteem, self-handicapping, and self-presentation: The strategy of inadequate preparation.Journal of Personality. 2006:58(2);443-464.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Török L, Szabó ZP, Orosz G.Promoting a growth mindset decreases behavioral self-handicapping among students who are on the fixed side of the mindset continuum.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7454. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11547-4Neureiter M, Traut-Mattausch E.An inner barrier to career development: preconditions of the impostor phenomenon and consequences for career development.Front Psychol. 2016;7:48. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00048Curtis RC.Self-defeating behaviors. In:Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier; 2017:B9780128093245065000. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.06551-2Isleib RA, Vuchinich RE, Tucker JA.Performance attributions and changes in self-esteem following self-handicapping with alcohol consumption.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1988;6(1):88-103. doi:10.1521/jscp.1988.6.1.88Boruchovitch E, Rufini SE, Ganda DR, Miranda LC, de Almeida LS.Self-handicapping strategies in educational context: construction and validation of the Brazilian Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale (EEAPREJ).Psicol Reflex Crit. 2022;35(1):8. doi:10.1186/s41155-022-00210-6Shepperd JA, Arkin RM.Determinants of self-handicapping: task importance and the effects of preexisting handicaps on self-generated handicaps.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 1989;15(1):101-112. doi:10.1177/0146167289151010Berglas S, Jones EE.Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success.J Pers Soc Psychol. 1978;36(4):405-417. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.36.4.405Yavuzer Y.Investigating the relationship between self-handicapping tendencies, self-esteem and cognitive distortions.Educ Sci-Theor Pract. doi:10.12738/estp.2015.4.2434Barutçu Yıldırım F, Demir A.Self-handicapping among university students: the role of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion.Psychol Rep. 2020;123(3):825-843. doi:10.1177/0033294118825099Levesque MJ, Lowe CA, Mendenhall C.Self-handicapping as a method of self-presentation: An analysis of costs and benefits.Current Research in Social Psychology.2001;6(15).Zarshenas L, Jahromi LA, Jahromi MF, Manshadi MD.Self-handicapping among nursing students: an interventional study.BMC Med Educ. 2019;19(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1441-6

Török L, Szabó ZP, Orosz G.Promoting a growth mindset decreases behavioral self-handicapping among students who are on the fixed side of the mindset continuum.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7454. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11547-4

Neureiter M, Traut-Mattausch E.An inner barrier to career development: preconditions of the impostor phenomenon and consequences for career development.Front Psychol. 2016;7:48. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00048

Curtis RC.Self-defeating behaviors. In:Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier; 2017:B9780128093245065000. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.06551-2

Isleib RA, Vuchinich RE, Tucker JA.Performance attributions and changes in self-esteem following self-handicapping with alcohol consumption.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1988;6(1):88-103. doi:10.1521/jscp.1988.6.1.88

Boruchovitch E, Rufini SE, Ganda DR, Miranda LC, de Almeida LS.Self-handicapping strategies in educational context: construction and validation of the Brazilian Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale (EEAPREJ).Psicol Reflex Crit. 2022;35(1):8. doi:10.1186/s41155-022-00210-6

Shepperd JA, Arkin RM.Determinants of self-handicapping: task importance and the effects of preexisting handicaps on self-generated handicaps.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 1989;15(1):101-112. doi:10.1177/0146167289151010

Berglas S, Jones EE.Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success.J Pers Soc Psychol. 1978;36(4):405-417. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.36.4.405

Yavuzer Y.Investigating the relationship between self-handicapping tendencies, self-esteem and cognitive distortions.Educ Sci-Theor Pract. doi:10.12738/estp.2015.4.2434

Barutçu Yıldırım F, Demir A.Self-handicapping among university students: the role of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion.Psychol Rep. 2020;123(3):825-843. doi:10.1177/0033294118825099

Levesque MJ, Lowe CA, Mendenhall C.Self-handicapping as a method of self-presentation: An analysis of costs and benefits.Current Research in Social Psychology.2001;6(15).

Zarshenas L, Jahromi LA, Jahromi MF, Manshadi MD.Self-handicapping among nursing students: an interventional study.BMC Med Educ. 2019;19(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1441-6

Baumeister RF, Bushman BJ.Social Psychology & Human Nature. United States: Thomson Wadsworth. 2008.McCrea SM.Self-handicapping, excuse making, and counterfactual thinking: Consequences for self-esteem and future motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2008:95(2);274–292.Tice DM, Baumeister RF (2006).Self-esteem, self-handicapping, and self-presentation: The strategy of inadequate preparation.Journal of Personality. 2006:58(2);443-464.

Baumeister RF, Bushman BJ.Social Psychology & Human Nature. United States: Thomson Wadsworth. 2008.

McCrea SM.Self-handicapping, excuse making, and counterfactual thinking: Consequences for self-esteem and future motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2008:95(2);274–292.

Tice DM, Baumeister RF (2006).Self-esteem, self-handicapping, and self-presentation: The strategy of inadequate preparation.Journal of Personality. 2006:58(2);443-464.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?