DEFEAT AND DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS: A BRIEF REVIEW OF RECENT STUDIES. PART 2

Abstract

We presented a brief review of studies identifying mechanisms associated with selfdefeating
(or self-destruction) patterns. The latter patterns are defined as any deliberate or intentional
beliefs and behaviors that have negative effects on the self or on the self’s projects. It
is reviewed studies examining self-esteem, threatened egotism, deservingness, and social exclusion
entailing self-defeating patterns. A recent literature witnesses that a low level of selfesteem
can lead to self-defeating patterns. Second source is threatened egotism. Self-defeating
responses are especially common when people feel that others may perceive them less favorably
than the people desire. Two variables related to self-esteem may mostly tap vulnerability
to ego threats. One is narcissism as inflated or exaggerated favorable views of self. Another is
unstable self-esteem. Third source of self-defeat is deservingness. Much theorizing and research
of it is originating with Just World Theory. It indicates that people get what they deserve
and deserve what they get. The general idea is that, to the extent people might adopt various
self-defeating beliefs and behaviors following the experience of misfortune because
people feel compelled to view misfortune. Fourth source of self-defeat is social exclusion. It
relies on the assumption that the need to belong is one of the most basic human motivations.
Then so being excluded from social relationships would be a potentially powerful blow. The
social exclusion leads to anxiety, depression, jealousy, loneliness, low self-esteem, fear of social
rejection and exclusion. In conclusion, it is worth noting that self-esteem, threatened egotism,
deservingness, and social exclusion appear along the interpersonal axis Self – Others relationships
yet in various biases. Thus, our claim is that mechanisms associated with selfdefeating
patterns would be heterogeneous rather than homogeneous. Besides, our assumption
is that self-defeating patterns would be based on a common resource. It would combine selfesteem,
threatened egotism, deservingness, and social exclusion as some portions of commonality.
Then, some perspective can be delineated to move from one-dimensional questionnaires
to multidimensional ones to measure self-defeating patterns and to construct a new theory of
self-defeating beliefs and behaviors.