Which of the following is an example of self-handicapping?

Self-handicapping refers to behaviors that individuals engage in to protect their self-esteem and justify potential failures by creating obstacles to their own success. Making excuses for poor performance exemplifies this concept, as it allows individuals to attribute their lack of success to external factors rather than their own abilities or efforts. By doing so, they maintain a sense of self-worth; if they can attribute their failures to circumstances beyond their control, it alleviates the personal responsibility they would otherwise feel.

In contrast, studying to avoid failure reflects preparation and proactive behavior, while setting unreachable goals indicates a tendency toward unrealistic expectations but does not directly involve creating excuses for failure. Similarly, assuming success is unattainable is a mindset that could lead to disengagement or inaction, but it does not involve the active self-sabotage element seen in self-handicapping behaviors. Thus, making excuses for poor performance is the clearest example of self-handicapping among the choices provided.