In a short paragraph, describe the nature of self-worth. In a second paragraph, explain what self-handicapping is and the role it plays relative to self-worth. To illustrate your discussion, describe two different kinds of self-handicapping that students might exhibit in or outside of the classroom

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Some motivation theorists propose that people have a strong need to protect their general sense of competence–that is, to protect their sense of self-worth. In some cases people engage in behaviors that actually undermine their chances of success, but such behaviors enable them to maintain their sense of self-worth even as they are failing; this phenomenon is known as self-handicapping. Examples of self-handicapping include the following (the response should include at least two of these or offer two plausible alternatives):
• Reducing effort, to the point where success is highly unlikely
• Misbehaving in class
• Setting such high goals that even the most capable individual could not attain them
• Taking on so many tasks that it is impossible to complete them all
• Procrastinating, putting off a task until success is virtually impossible
• Cheating on tests or assignments
• Using alcohol or drugs that will almost certainly reduce performance