Human survival and the self-destruction paradox: An integrated theoretical model

Journal/Book: J Mind Behav. 1999; 20: PO Box 522 Village Station, New York, NY 10014, USA. Inst Mind Behavior Inc. 57-78.

Abstract: Borrowing from evolutionary biology, existentialism, developmental psychology, and social learning theory, an integrated model of human behavior is applied to several forms of self-destructive behavior, to include anorexia nervosa, suicide, substance abuse, and pathological gambling. It is argued that self-destructive behavior is a function of how the individual psychologically construes survival and copes with perceptions of isolation and separation from the environment. The paradox of self destructive behavior in organisms motivated by self-preservation is resolved by caking note of the fact that self-destruction seems from people's efforts to survive psychologically and resolve the subject-object duality, even when this places their physical well-being in jeopardy.

Note: Article Walters GD, Fed Correct Inst, Psychol Serv, POB 700, Minersville,PA 17954 USA

Keyword(s): DEFEATING BEHAVIOR; RISK; DRINKING; NOVELTY; FAMILIARITY; ADOLESCENTS; PSYCHOLOGY; PATTERNS; CHILDREN; SMOKING

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