Self-control and psychology

 

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Geoffrey W Sutton and Bing AI

Self-control is the ability to regulate one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The capacity for self-control varies. High levels of self-control allow people to restrain impulsive behavior so they can pursue longer term goals.

Self-control research may be found under the concepts of willpower and self-discipline.

Research by June Tangney and her team (2004) found that college students with high self-discipline also had higher grade-point averages, self-esteem, and relation skills and lower binge eating and alcohol abuse than other students.

Experiments by Rounding et al. (2012) provided evidence of a religious priming effect—religious primes increase self-control on self-control tasks. 

For a summary of research, see Willpower by Baumeister & Tierney (2011). 

For a book summary, including a few tips from their work,  see this Willpower book review.

Measuring Self-Control

Self-Control, Single Item (SCSI)

The single-item self-control scale uses an 11-point scale to quantify a person’s perception of their self-control. The item (How much self-control do you have?) was studied along with similar items by Wanja Wolff and others (2022) in a large US adult sample. 

The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) is a 13-item measure of trait self-control. It is a shortened version of the 36-item self-control scale. The items are rated on a five-point scale. In their original publication, Tangney and others (2004) documented high internal consistency and test-retest values.

References

Baumeister, R.F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. New York: Penguin Press   AMAZON LINK

Rounding, K., Lee, A., Jacobson, J. A., & Ji, L.-J. (2012). Religion Replenishes Self-Control. Psychological Science, 23(6), 635-642. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611431987


Tangney, J., Baumeister, R., & Boone, A.L. (2004). High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. Journal of Personality, 72, 271–324



Wolff, W., Bieleke, M., Englert, C., Bertrams, A., Schüler, J., & Martarelli, C. S. (2022). A single item measure of self-control – validation and location in a nomological network of self-control, boredom, and if-then planning. Social Psychological Bulletin, 17, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.7453

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.