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

• Published in: Current 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
• Language: English
• 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

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...