Which of the Following Is the Best Example of Self-Handicapping

question 57

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the best example of self-handicapping?

• A) Roy is a cigarette smoker. He does not like to hear about the health risks of smoking. He therefore ignores such information, or dismisses it as invalid, and continues to smoke.
• B) Neither Yuki nor her friends ever study very much for school. Since Yuki does not know anyone who studies very hard, she assumes that in fact no one ever studies hard. As a consequence, she continues to have terrible study habits.
• C) Jacques has a big wrestling match coming up, but he fears that he will lose. The week before the match, he claims that he is "really busy with other studies," and does not practice at all. Even though he may not realize he is doing this, he is setting himself up so that he will have an "excuse" in case he loses the match.
• D) Sometimes, when Olivia has a long day, she yells at her children when she gets home. She usually feels very bad about this right after doing it. But then she realizes that she can "justify" her behavior ("I am the parent here," she thinks, "and I have the right to discipline my children.") In other words, she is able to rationalize, or excuse, a not-so-good behavior.

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Definitions:

Moral Right

A principle or standard of behavior which is universally accepted as correct or beneficial in the promotion of fairness, justice, or societal well-being.

Privacy

The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people.

Unethical

Actions or behaviors that violate moral principles or accepted standards of conduct, often causing harm or disadvantage to others.

Handcuffs

Restraint devices consisting of two metal rings connected by a chain or bar, used to secure a person's wrists together.