Group Effects and Self-Handicapping

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship of group cohesion to self-handicapping. The first issue focused on the relationship between the personality trait of self-handicapping and perceptions of group cohesion. A significant negative relationship (p < .001) was found between individual differences in the self-handicapping trait of making excuses and perceptions of the group's task cohesiveness. The second issue focused on whether group cohesion serves to moderate the relationship between the trait of self-handicapping and the use of self-handicapping strategies. The results showed that social cohesion was a significant (p < .006) moderator between the tendency to make excuses and the use of self-handicapping strategies. When social cohesion was high, the tendency to make excuses was positively related to the degree to which impediments to preparation for competition were perceived to be present.