To define and understand impacts of failure and associated coping mechanism, we will be using following resources:
Book:
- Carver & Scheier (1998) – On the Self-Regulation of Behavior: Used to provide the baseline definition of failure. Their work on “Goal-Performance Discrepancy” removes the stigma from failure, positioning it mechanically as a signal that triggers corrective effort.
- Higgins (1987) – Self-Discrepancy Theory: Used to explain the emotional variance in failure. Higgins explains why some failures cause simple disappointment while others cause deep shame or anxiety, depending on whether we violated our “ideal” self or our “ought” (duty-bound) self.
Journal Articles:
- Dweck (1986) – Motivational Processes Affecting Learning: Used to address the response to failure. This paper differentiates between those who view failure as a lack of ability (performance orientation) versus a lack of effort (mastery orientation).
- Giessner et al. (2020) – Minimal and Maximal Goal Standards: Used to highlight the structural nature of goals. This recent research is crucial for understanding “categorical failure”—why falling short of a “minimal” standard is devastating, while falling short of a “maximal” standard can still be satisfying.
- Kluger & DeNisi (1996) – Feedback Intervention Theory: Used to explain the mechanics of recovery. This paper is essential for understanding why focusing on the task helps us bounce back, while focusing on the self causes performance to spiral downward.
Ted Talks:
- The Secret to Overcoming Failure — Andrew Lindley : This talk reframes failure as a signal for correction rather than something to glorify, aligning with the Goal–Performance Discrepancy view of failure as information. Lindley emphasizes thoughtful reflection and strategic adjustment after setbacks, reinforcing the presentation’s focus on how people interpret and respond to failure.
- Rethinking Failure — Rick Rodrigues : Rodrigues highlights the hidden costs and consequences of uncritically embracing failure, offering a nuanced counterbalance to the “failure culture” narrative. His perspective supports the distinction between episodic failure and long-term derailment, emphasizing that unmanaged failures can accumulate into harmful patterns.
- The Power of Failure — Dan Bush : Dan Bush explores failure as a universal human experience that can drive personal and professional growth when processed constructively. His message illustrates how setbacks can lead to resilience and adaptive change, complementing the presentation’s themes on emotional, motivational, and behavioral responses to failure.
