Self-control and psychology

 

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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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Psychology of Willpower

 Willpower is the ability of a person to accomplish what they intend to accomplish.

Although psychologists use the term willpower, much of the research is under the concept of self-control. See the self-control entry.

Key features of the willpower concept are:

The ability to regulate thoughts, feelings, and impulses so they do not interfere with one's activities.

The ability to delay gratification in order to reach more important goals.

Willpower requires effort which can deplete a person's willpower.

A useful summary of willpower research can be found in the book, Willpower, by Baumeister and Tierney (2011).

Willpower- NY Times Bestseller on AMAZON

Measuring Self-Control - Links to Scales

Self-Control, Single Item Scale

Brief Self-Control Scale

Reference

Baumeister, R., & Tierney, J. (2011) Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. New York: Penguin Press. See Review