Which phenomenon describes individuals creating excuses for potential failures?

Self-handicapping is a phenomenon where individuals deliberately create obstacles or excuses that may hinder their performance. This strategy is often employed to protect their self-esteem and maintain their self-image in the face of potential failure. When individuals anticipate that they might not succeed at a task, they might engage in self-handicapping by setting up these excuses. For example, a student might choose to procrastinate or not study adequately for a test; if they then underperform, they can attribute their failure to their lack of preparation rather than to a lack of ability. This allows them to preserve their self-worth by shifting the blame from their abilities to external factors. Understanding self-handicapping can be important in social psychology, as it highlights the ways in which individuals manage their self-image in relation to performance and potential failure.