Back to Search Start Over

Suicide as escape from self.

Authors :
Baumeister RF
Source :
Psychological review [Psychol Rev] 1990 Jan; Vol. 97 (1), pp. 90-113.
Publication Year :
1990

Abstract

Suicide is analyzed in terms of motivations to escape from aversive self-awareness. The causal chain begins with events that fall severely short of standards and expectations. These failures are attributed internally, which makes self-awareness painful. Awareness of the self's inadequacies generates negative affect, and the individual therefore desires to escape from self-awareness and the associated affect. The person tries to achieve a state of cognitive deconstruction (constricted temporal focus, concrete thinking, immediate or proximal goals, cognitive rigidity, and rejection of meaning), which helps prevent meaningful self-awareness and emotion. The deconstructed state brings irrationality and disinhibition, making drastic measures seem acceptable. Suicide can be seen as an ultimate step in the effort to escape from self and world.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0033-295X
Volume :
97
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Psychological review
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
2408091
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.97.1.90