PSY 331 Lecture 9Outline of Current Lecture 1. Self-presentation2. Doing vs. talking3. Alcohola. Why it’s so appealing?4. Self-handicapping5. Tice a. Hypothesis b. Resultsc. Implications Current LectureSelf-regulationSelf-presentation Attribution? Determine causes for an outcomeSelf-handicapping?Putting obstacles in your own way Affecting attributionDoing vs. talkingBehavioral: actually negatively affect performance Example: not tryingSelf-report: just talk about low performance ExceptionsExample: “I haven’t being feeling well”These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Example: “I hardly studied at all for this test”Seemlier benefits, less destructive potential mean more likely to “do” AlcoholJones and Berglas (1978)Starting point: alcohol consumption = v performanceFor you and othersFailure not a surpriseGiven impediment, not could you do well?Not due to your abilityExternal attribution (got drunk since you didn’t unstable Success is a surprise Do well in spite of impediment Say about you?You must be really goodInternal attribution StableBenefits regardless of outcome Other ways of self-handicap?- Lack of preparationWhy alcohol is so appealing?Alcohol also v anxietyNot as worried about performance Self- handicappingWays to avoid “testing” selfWhen afraid of what we might find can use some strategy for different reasonsTice (1991): high vs. low SE Idea: self-handicap when it fit goalsHSE: goal to enhance successLSE: goal to minimize failureOnly one important taskWe self-handicap for what we care about Tice (1991)Intelligence test (important) Manipulation: failure meaningful Success meaningful- Failure: only identifies very poor ability - Success: only identifies exceptional ability Chose music to listen to during testMusic labeled from “highly detracting” to “highly enhancing”HypothesisWhy anyone would chose “detracting”?Self-handicapping- Affects attributes for failure and success 2 effects:Maintain SE when SE fall short …?LSE in particular^ SE when do well …?HSE in particularResultsFailure meaningful: only possible to fail …?LSE chose more detracting musicSuccess meaningful: only possible to excel HSE chose more detracting musicBoth handicap to fit their goalBut wait …… there is more!Lupien, Seery, Aimonte (2010)Lupine at el (2010)Compare discrepant and congruent HSE - Both report HSE on explicit questionnaire - Discrepant have low implicit SE- Unintentional, automotive, may be unconscious - Measure with reaction time (see book)- Discrepant HSE similar to unstable HSE- Defensive Results When success meaningful, discrepant HSE self-handicap more than othersGiven defensiveness (previously observed)… “enhancing success” may actually be fear of not being best- Self-handicap to avoid showing they are less than exceptional - Minimize this particular failure Implications?Actual performance can be less important than its InterpretationInterpretation has implications for SETrue for important domainsSelf maintenance is a powerful thing Moderation is