self-handicapping

n. a strategy of creating obstacles to one’s performance, so that future anticipated failure can be blamed on the obstacle rather than on one’s lack of ability. If one succeeds despite the handicap, it brings extra credit or glory to the self. The concept originally was proposed to explain alcohol and drug abuse among seemingly successful individuals. —self-handicap vb.

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Psychology term of the day

January 13th 2025

genetic psychology

the study of the development of mental functions in children and their transformation across the lifespan. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term was preferred over the synonymous developmental psychology.