Time-Stage Model of Failure

Abstract

In the past few decades, failure has attracted more attention as people realize that experiencing and learning from failure is an essential part of achieving success. In light of this, I propose a time-stage model of failure, which describes and predicts the processes and responses at three stages of failure: In the first stage, individuals experience immediate emotional pain and a sense of threat to their fundamental needs upon detecting failure; in the second stage, individuals reflect on the significance of their failure and develop different motives to recover from the threatened needs. In the third stage, prolonged exposure to failure drains individuals’ resources and leads them to believe that they are destined for continuous failure. This can result in compliance, avoidance, and a decrease in self-efficacy. Finally, we call for more research to explore the factors and psychological mechanisms that affect the individuals’ response to failure, so that more strategies can be developed to help individuals recover from short-term failures and minimize the negative consequences of long-term failure.