Self-Defeating Behavior: Why We Sabotage Our Own Success
SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIOR Introduction and Core Definition Self-defeating behavior (SDB) is fundamentally defined as any action, habit, or pattern of thought that actively inhibits an individual’s achievement of their conscious, long-term goals, or that actively causes unnecessary suffering, failure, or loss of opportunity. This concept is paradoxical because, on the surface, human motivation is generally understood […]
Moral Masochism: Why We Sabotage Our Own Happiness
Moral Masochism: A Review of the Literature In recent years, the topic of moral masochism has gained increasing attention in the literature. Moral masochism, also referred to as “self-defeating behavior” (Gilligan, 1983; Kenrick & Sheets, 1995) is defined as the process of individuals actively engaging in activities that are detrimental to their own well-being and […]