People often have goals to manage the kind of impression they make on others. Why is it that sometimes they try to make a positive impression, but sometimes they impede their ability to do so i.e. self-handicapping)? Describe the empirical evidence and give an example to illustrate this difference.

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The Answer is People often have goals to manage the kind of impression they make on others because they want to be liked, respected, or accepted. This can lead to the desire to make a positive impression. However, there are times when individuals may engage in self-handicapping behavior, which can impede their ability to make a positive impression.

Self-handicapping is a strategy where individuals create obstacles or excuses for themselves in order to protect their self-esteem and provide a potential excuse for failure. This behavior can undermine their ability to make a positive impression because it signals to others that they may not be capable or competent.

Empirical evidence for self-handicapping comes from various studies in social psychology. For example, a study by Jones and Berglas (1978) found that participants who were given the opportunity to self-handicap by taking a performance-inhibiting drug before a task were more likely to use the drug when they were told that their performance would be evaluated. This suggests that individuals may engage in self-handicapping behavior in order to protect their self-esteem in the face of potential failure.

On the other hand, there is also evidence to support the idea that individuals strive to make a positive impression. For example, a study by Leary and Kowalski (1990) found that individuals were motivated to present themselves in a positive light in order to gain social acceptance and approval.

In summary, individuals may try to make a positive impression on others, but they may also engage in self-handicapping behavior that undermines their ability to do so. This can be influenced by the desire to protect their self-esteem and manage the expectations of others.

People Often Have Goals to Manage the Kind of Impression