Which Scenario Is the Best Example of Self-Handicapping

question 108

Multiple Choice

Which scenario 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:

Public Settings

Environments or spaces accessible to the general public where social interactions occur.

Ethical Review Board

A committee tasked with reviewing research proposals to ensure that ethical standards are met and that participants are protected from harm.

Physical Risk

The possibility of sustaining bodily injury or harm during the performance of an activity or due to exposure to physical hazards.

Monetary Cost

The amount of money that must be paid to buy, maintain, or use something.