Recovering from Defeat: The psychological reactions of those who lose

[WA98296]

What are the psychological reacations for someone who has invested their hearts, souls and their own money in trying to win an election and then fail?


In an article I ran across, Los Angeles psychologist Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D., cites examples saying, "History is full of stories chronicling the shock, disbelief, depression and anger associated with loosing an election."

Here is are a few of the reactions of the loser, according to Butterworth:

SAD AND DEPRESSIVE: Initially the candidate, their family and supporters put on a happy face with teary-eyed thanks as they wish good fortune to the winner. However, as the loss sinks in, the vanquished candidate becomes despondent and unmotivated, spending days and weeks in self-blame or despair with little energy or enthusiasm, trapped in self- pity.



ANGRY AND RESENTFUL: The candidate refuses to accept the loss and lashes out at opponents, the media, political consultants or anyone else who they feel may be responsible for their defeat. This anger blocks depression, and the revenge aspect of the loss keeps them energized, focused and away from feelings of shutting down or completely giving up. However, the bitterness and blame can lead to physical or emotional difficulties later. 



DENIAL: Refusing to believe that they lost the election, they continue to run on their ideas. They don't go through an emotional withdrawal since they never remain out of the public eye. To them, the failed campaign was just a rehearsal for bigger and better things.


Butterworth advises, "winning is not everything and the real measure of someone who's a winner is not how they handle themselves in victory but how they recover and move forward after defeat."



Link: http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Government/Election_Losers_--_Psychology_of_Defeat._315.html

[Saturday]

1. And your point is? nt

[ClassWarrior]

4. ANGRY AND RESENTFUL.

NGU.

[Saturday]

17. Not really, I was the first to vote yes, I'd vote for Obama in the

recent poll here on DU as I have in all the other polls here asking the same question. I think it's about time BO supporters stop trying to diss Hillary supporters. The gloating is getting old and does nothing to unite us. Unless of course, you don't need us anymore and prefer McCain.

[rug]

2. Print it, put it in your wallet, and read it in November.

[ClassWarrior]

6. DENIAL.

NGU.

[rug]

7. No, it will be sad and depressive.

Never give up.

[ClassWarrior]

8. More DENIAL.

NGU.

[rug]

11. More sadness.

Although it's too amusing to still be called depressed.

[ClassWarrior]

12. And projection, too!

A real psychological smorgasbord.

NGU.

[rug]

13. Read up on sociopathy.

It will do you good.

[ClassWarrior]

14. DENIAL.

NGU.

[rug]

15. And OCD.

[ClassWarrior]

16. Rivers of Egypt.

NGU.

[rug]

18. Isles of Langerhans.

[nichomachus]

3. No different than the classic five stages of grief

They don't always appear in the cited order and people often swing back and forth between them.

[Larkspur]

5. Where does this guy put Al Gore?

I think the emotional fallout of losing a major election, whether it be by voters or the Supreme Court, is a lot like the stages of dying. Al Gore went through them and redeemed his public relations by championing a cause -- global warming -- that he deeply cared about. This psychologist left out redemption or resurrection as a stage. Though I suppose he'd say that Gore took his advice "winning is not everything and the real measure of someone who's a winner is not how they handle themselves in victory but how they recover and move forward after defeat."



[Forkboy]

9. I was all of those....

Fucking NY Giants!! x(

[RichardRay]

10. All of that is katabasis, just in different forms.

It reflects a sense of personal denigration from the defeat. Contrast that to the process of 'eating ashes' that happens when a man is defeated so utterly that he understands the futility of contending for victory. He may compete after that, indeed, he may win in some future contest, but never again will the experience of either defeat or of victory bear on him so heavily.

I have no idea if women experience defeat in the same way - all the work I've seen on the topic has been aimed at men's experience. I make no claim to understand women's experience in this realm.

[LeftishBrit]

19. Well, I hope that this article will apply to McCain and not the Dem candidate...

Also, I wouldn't have thought that Nixon was mainly remembered for his accomplishments! Though he did have one or two, unlike Bush who has none.

More generally, I would guess that the reaction to losing would depend to some extent on what your chances were in the first place: the perennial candidate of the Monster Raving Loony Party (there really was such a party in the UK, led by Screaming Lord Sutch! - and it was more sensible in its views than some parties!) may react differently to someone who is facing the end of a 30-year political career in high office.

[Freida5]

20. Or how about just not voting for Obama

[ClassWarrior]

21. DENIAL.

NGU.