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Self‐Esteem, Self‐Handicapping, and Self‐Presentation: The Strategy of Inadequate Practice
Author(s) -
Tice Dianne M.,
Baumeister Roy F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of personality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.082
H-Index - 144
eISSN - 1467-6494
pISSN - 0022-3506
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1990.tb00237.x
Subject(s) - self esteem , psychology , presentation (obstetrics) , social psychology , presentational and representational acting , impression management , self , radiology , aesthetics , medicine , philosophy
In two experiments we investigated the causes of low preparatory effort (minimal practicing for an upcoming event that is to be evaluated), a possible form of self‐handicapping Experiment 1 found that people with high self‐esteem practiced less than people with low self‐esteem, although a prior experience of success eliminated this difference Experiment 2 showed that people with high self‐esteem practiced less only when the practice duration was publicly known, indicating that they were using a strategic self‐presentational ploy rather man responding to superior confidence This difference may reflect a desire to maximize the self‐presentation of high ability by appearing to succeed despite minimal preparatory effort These results suggest that this form of self‐handicapping is a strategy used by highly confident individuals in uncertain situations to make a favorable impression on others