When the End Justifies the Means: Self-Defeating Behaviors as "Rational" and "Successful" Self-Regulation

We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather than failure. Specifically, we suggest that drug use, overeating, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and martyrdom represent means toward individuals' goals. In this capacity, they may be initiated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCurrent directions in psychological science : a journal of the American Psychological Society Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 386 - 391
Main Authors Kopetz, Catalina, Orehek, Edward
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2015
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Self control
Self destructive behavior
Sexual behavior
substance use
means
risky sexual behavior
overeating
self-regulation
self-injury
rationality
goals
martyrdom
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Summary:We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather than failure. Specifically, we suggest that drug use, overeating, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and martyrdom represent means toward individuals' goals. In this capacity, they may be initiated and pursued upon goal activation despite potentially negative consequences, and thus exemplify the long-held notion that the end justifies the means. We propose a means-end analysis, present evidence that these activities demonstrate the hallmarks of goal pursuit, and discuss novel implications for understanding these behaviors.
ISSN:0963-7214
1467-8721
DOI:10.1177/0963721415589329