Abstract:
The aim of this research was to examine the relationships between achievement goal orientations and self-handicapping. The sample of study consists of 355 university students from Sakarya University, Turkey. 201 participants were female and 154 were male, the mean age was 20.2. The 2X2 Achievement Goal Orientations Scale and the Self-handicapping Scale were used as measures. The relationships between achievement goal orientations and self-handicapping were examined using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that self-handicapping correlated positively with learning-avoidance and performance-avoidance goals and negatively with learning-approach and performance-approach goals. According to regression results, self-handicapping was predicted positively by learning-avoidance and performance-avoidance goals. Further learning-approach and performance-approach goals predicted self-handicapping in a negative way. Learning-approach/avoidance and performance-approach/avoidance goals have explained 69% of the variance in self-handicapping. The results should not be generalized either to all university students or to other student population. Secondly, as correlational statistics were utilized, no definitive statements can be made about causality. And last, the data are self-reported.
