Self Handicapping in School Physical Education: Influence of Motivational Climate - Article Example

Introduction Educational psychology, especially study of children’s psychological behaviour under different situational paradigm has been conducted by various psychologists and social scientists. The various areas of school curricula seem to have varying degree of behavioural pattern amongst the school children. But the psychologists are finding the increasing cases of self-handicapping, the most intriguing, primarily because of the fact that it seems to have become a regular pattern amongst the school children. The cause of concern is not only grave but the impact of the practice amongst the children may be detrimental for the overall development of the children’s personality and character. The article gives valuable insight into the excuses that are deliberately used by the students so as to prevent exposure of their qualitative worth as they see it. Summary of the article ‘Self handicapping in school physical education: Influence of motivational climate’, jointly written by Standage, Treasure, Hooper and Kuczka, is highly relevant in the present climate of fast changing global environment. A short study was conducted with 70 British School students (36 female and 34 male), in context of physical education and their self handicapping attribute was evaluated under socially controlled environment. Goal achievement was open to situational self handicapping and randomly selected students were divided into two groups. Goal achievement for each group was observed under different motivational climate (task vs. ego). PE was especially chosen because it presents the maximum opportunity for a visible impact on the self esteem of the students. The result of the short research showed that the group of students, who were exposed to the environment of ego boosting and public exposure of their self worth, had more cases of self handicapping. The other group, who were just required to give their best to the task, irrespective of the goals, were found to be less inclined to offer any excuses for their lack of performance outcome. Self handicapping is the attribute of the students or individuals whereby, they deliberately make up excuses so as not to participate in activities which may adversely impact their ego or self esteem or make excuses for the performance which may not be up to the mark. In the present time, the increasing use of such impediments based activities, are adversely affecting the personal growth of the individuals. The motivational climate that promotes such behaviour have become cause of grave concern amongst the educationalists and social scientists. The study, while disseminating such vital information regarding the self handicapping incidents, is also crucial for the authorities because environment that provoke and promote such behavioural aberrations need to be addressed at the earliest. The study is highly relevant in the present environment of fast changing global values and their impact of the overall growth of the children into well balanced and responsible adults. Critique The study was a joint collaboration of the academicians from the two renowned universities: Martyn Standage and Catherine Hooper from University of Bath, UK; and Darren C Treasure and Kendy Kuczka from Arizona State University, USA. The academicians have tried to use the research of previous researchers and have tried to use the tenets from their research to find the motivational climate that has maximum impact on the situational self handicapping behaviour. From the research of Urden and Midgley, they assumed that in PE classes, the exposure of the students to defined goals would ultimately lead to a variety of ‘claimed situational self handicapping’. Kolditz & Arkin, 1982 and their own research has revealed that people or students who doubt their ability are most motivated towards self handicapping. While the research was already a foregone conclusion, the authors, here have reconfirmed the results amongst the students so as to emphasize that more conducive environment must be created to promote task based motivation which helps to forge better relationship. The article has used the research and theories of too many scientists and academicians that sometimes, it is confusing as to what actually the authors are trying to prove! The article has been quite expansive on the research of various academicians and scientists which had carried research in the various aspects of the socio-psychological aspect of human behavioural science. The article has shown that there is imperative need to study the school environment and correlate it with the fast changing character and personality development of the students into responsible adults. The self handicapping behaviour of the students adversely reflects on the school environment that might be unknowingly encouraging the students to such behaviour. The article and the short research that was conducted on the odd 70 students, gives pertinent information regarding students behaviour under different situational paradigm. But at the same time, it has combined so many issues into one that the impact of the study has lost context and bumbles at the dark recesses of the research arena that are either already proved or have already been articulated by others. It has too many flaws and the research itself is confined to such small sample that it may not actually represent the true state of the issue in question. Another factor that goes against the authenticity of the research is that it is not only localized to single school but the sample is devoid of proper demographic representation in term of age, class, status etc. The study was carried on the small homogenous group with little variance in terms of length of association with each other. This is important criteria because the students were already known to each other and their competitive rivalry was already well defined and probably well exposed! Hence any such outcome may just be another way of expressing their deep desire to show or act otherwise. Since the article has been published by a well known British Journal of Psychology, one is forced to accede that the research must have some relevance for the academicians. The various aspect of the exercise was basically modulated to create situational environment where students’ performance outcome was perceived in the premeditated criteria. The highlight of the research was that the students were perceived to have personalities that are focused towards self interests and ego based, which were often at cross road to the wider objectives of the school and the students. The research has reasserted that students are important and vital part of society and school are the main facilitators that groom the students to become good citizens of the world. The researchers have analysed the readings in a scientifically comprehensive manner that may not be easily understood by a common man. One is prone to ask the obvious that if so much effort into calculations was to be made, then why more diverse and differentiated sampling was used? Self handicapping strategies are known to create environment or situations that may affect performance to deliberately divert attention or manipulate the outcome. The authors have given an very good example of a footballer who may not have properly tightened his shoe-laces so that his inferior ability could be hidden behind the excuse. Such type of behaviour is prevalent amongst the children who are not doing well in their studies. The study can become the guideline for the school authorities to address the issue in the new perspectives and create congenial atmosphere for the students where they can regain their self confidence and do well in their studies. Claimed self handicapping is yet another area where the individuals come with variety of excuses for their low performance in different areas. In the schools, such excuses are often overlooked and treated as routine or genuine. The excuse for low performance needs to be explored by the authorities so that appropriate solution to the problems could be reached. The study has brought this pertinent point into the focus and the issue must be treated as such so that the future generation is not deprived of the opportunities that would improve their socio-economic status in life. Though the article has focused on a myriad issues pertaining to the welfare of the students and people in general also, the PE area has given it more prominence and less authenticity because PE is one area that promotes ego display and intense rivalry. While the wider goals and objectives of the research are exemplary but the methodology and the processes used to carry it out, tend to trivialize it. Emphasis on achievement goal theory (AGT) has been perceived as the main propellant of the behavioural pattern, which is contestable. The authors too have confessed that the self image and perception of self is often the main cause of competitive and ego boosting confessions and acts. The contrary and often repeated assumptions further dilute the serious efforts of the authors. Conclusion The article is not a good effort by the authors to take up a serious issue pertaining to the development of students’ character and personality. The authors have tried to research an important aspect of students’ behaviour which has vital impact on his life and impacts significantly on his growth. While the end results may have given some really good insight into the performance outcome of the students under different motivational environment, the authenticity of the sampling is doubtful and such, lowers the impact of the research results. The authors have shown good academic level and seem to have a good grasp of the human psychological behavioural pattern. One can conclude that the article has raised pertinent issues for the educational authorities and has shown that in the emerging globalization, self handicapping needs to be looked from new perspectives and urgently needs to be addressed Reference Standage, Martyn et al. (2007). Self Handicapping in School physical education: The influence of motivational climate. British journal of Educational Psychology, 77, 81-99. The competitive environment, within and outside the school premises has become extremely volatile and its impact is clearly visible in the increasing incidents of self-handicapping that the school children are resorting in their school life. Read More