Your Own Worst Enemy: Understanding the Paradox of Self-Defeating Behavior

Berglas, Steven; Baumeister, Roy F.

ISBN 10: 0465076807 / ISBN 13: 9780465076802

Published by Basic Books, New York, New York, U.S.A., 1993

About this Item

Previous owner's name on front flyleaf, otherwise a near fine hardcover first edition in a near fine mylar protected DJ. yellow. Seller Inventory # 027385

Bibliographic Details

Title: Your Own Worst Enemy: Understanding the ...

Publisher: Basic Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Publication Date: 1993

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Edition: First Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

Describes the underlying causes of self-defeating behavior and provides strategies for overcoming them

Reviews:

While many of us may practice self-defeating behavior, most of us --contrary to conventional wisdom--don't really harbor a secret death wish, aver psychotherapist Berglas ( The Success Syndrome ) and research psychologist Baumeister ( Meanings of Life ). Observing that self-defeating acts can take myriad and devious forms, they compile numerous examples of how people create their own obstacles. Berglas and Baumeister buttress their list of self-sabotaging mechanisms with references to such memorable self-defeaters as Greta Garbo and Gary Hart. More descriptive than prescriptive, their approach may seem inadequate to readers who are looking for a blueprint for change. Nevertheless, the authors clearly demonstrate the insidious ways that people defeat themselves, and drive home the point that people's failure to achieve long-term goals often results from their choosing short-term pleasures instead.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Most understandable to those who have done upper-level or graduate work in psychology and/or counseling, this book seeks to explain how and why people act in ways antithetical to their well-being. Berglas (clinical psychology, Harvard Medical Sch.) and Baumeister (psychology, Case Western Reserve) postulate that self-defeating behavior may be a form of coping mechanism to avoid the responsibilities that success affords. Both authorities in the field--Berglas wrote Self-Handicapping (Plenum, 1990), and Baumeister, Masochism and the Self (Erlbaum, 1989)--they point out that self-defeat may take many forms, i.e., procrastination, drug abuse or overdose, interpersonal abuse, or failure to follow directions. A more sophisticated adjunct to Judith Sills's Excess Baggage: Getting Out of Your Own Way ( LJ 12/92), this is recommended for academic and comprehensive public collections.
- Scott Johnson, Meridian Community Coll. Lib., Miss.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.