Voices in our heads: Explaining the science of self-handicapping

<p><em>“Next time you find yourself avoiding the work you should be doing, remember: your values hold the key to success.” – Tom Carbery</em></p><p><br></p><p>Are you ever so worried about failing at something that you actively seek out other activities to do instead… and then ‘blame’ those as the reason you fail? </p><p>You might be &#39;self-handicapping&#39;.</p><p>On this episode, UWA psychology student Tom Carbery shares his mini-podcast about self-handicapping with our host, Emma. They discuss how self-sabotaging behaviours can affect academic performance, the psychology behind maladaptive coping strategies, and the importance of self-affirmation. </p><p>Tom also shares his creative process: why he chose the topic, how he aimed to reduce ATAR students’ anxiety about assessments, what’s good – and not so good – about recording inside a closet, AI tools for podcasting, and the importance of authority, evidence, and appropriate guests when sharing psychological science. </p><p><br></p><p><em>“You need to show all parts of the spectrum… the empirical evidence, the case study, as well as the more personal feel. I think that creates the best balance. Self-help advice is great, but you need to have evidence for what you’re saying.” – Tom Carbery</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode links</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Tom talks about this paper:</p><p>Steven Berglas and Edward Jones (1978). Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36: 405–417. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.36.4.405" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.36.4.405</a></p><p><br></p><p>For more information about the consequences of self-handicapping behaviour, check out the SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Psychology: <a href="https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/socialpsychology/chpt/selfhandicapping#_" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/socialpsychology/chpt/selfhandicapping#_</a></p><p><br></p><p>SciShow Psych cover self-handicapping in this YouTube video: <a href="https://youtu.be/d1YYgY0etrU " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://youtu.be/d1YYgY0etrU </a></p><p><br></p><p>If you or someone you know is living with anxiety or self-destructive behaviour, help is available. Connect with Beyond Blue or your local counselling services: <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.beyondblue.org.au/</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Credits for this episode </strong></p><p>Episode Host: Emma Gill</p><p>Special Guest: Tom Carbery</p><p>Produced &amp; Edited by: Emma Gill</p><p>Audio Engineering: Matt Gill</p><p>Show notes by: Emma Gill</p><p>Audiogram by: Adobe Podcast</p><p><br></p>