Self-Defeating Behavior Patterns Among Normal Individuals: Review and Analysis of Common Self-Destructive Tendencies

Roy F. Baumeister
Case Western Reserve University

and

Steven J. Scher
Princeton University


Three conceptual models of self-defeating behavior can be distinguished on the basis of intentionally (desiring and foreseeing harm). In primary self-destruction, the person foresees and desires harm to self; in tradeoffs, the harm is foreseen but not desired; and in counterproductive strategies, the harm is neither foreseen nor desired. We review 12 categories of self-defeating behavior patterns from the research literature in social psychology. No clear evidence of primary self destruction is found. Several tradeoff patterns have been shown: Typically, the individual favors short-term benefits despite long-term costs and risks, especially under the influence of aversive emotional states and high self-awareness. Counterproductive strategies have also been found, usually based on misjudging self or misjudging contingencies. It is concluded that normal people do harm themselves and defeat their projects by means of poor judgements, by maladaptive responses, through unforseen consequences of nonoptimal methods, and be disregarding costs and risks in favor of immediate pleasure or relief; however, there is no clear evidence of intentional, deliberate self-destructiveness among normal (non-clinical) individuals.


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