Deutsch: Selbstkontrolle / Español: autocontrol / Português: autocontrole / Français: maîtrise de soi / Italiano: autocontrollo
The self-control is shown with respect to choice between two rewards, selecting a larger later reward over a smaller sooner reward.
In the context of psychology, self-control refers to the ability of an individual to regulate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. As a facet of emotional intelligence, self-control is crucial for adaptive social interactions, achieving long-term goals, and maintaining personal well-being.
Description
Self-control in psychology involves the conscious regulation of one's actions, impulses, or emotions to meet certain standards, achieve specific goals, or conform to societal norms. This regulatory process is a key component of executive functions, which are cognitive processes managed by the prefrontal cortex of the brain. These functions include planning, decision-making, error correction, and overriding immediate desires in favor of longer-term intentions.
Application Areas
Self-control is a central concept in various branches of psychology:
- Clinical psychology: Focuses on helping individuals enhance their self-control to overcome or manage psychological disorders, such as addiction, eating disorders, and impulse control disorders.
- Developmental psychology: Studies how self-control develops from childhood into adulthood and its impact on personal development and social integration.
- Health psychology: Investigates how self-control influences health behaviors, such as exercise, diet, and adherence to medical advice.
Well-Known Examples
The famous Marshmallow Test, a series of studies on delayed gratification led by psychologist Walter Mischel, illustrates the concept of self-control in developmental psychology. In these experiments, children were given a choice between a small reward provided immediately or a larger reward if they waited for a period of time. The ability to wait was linked to better outcomes later in life in areas such as academic success, health, and general well-being.
Treatment and Risks
Improving self-control is often a goal in psychological treatment:
- Benefits: Enhancing self-control can lead to better stress management, healthier relationships, and greater success in academic and professional endeavors.
- Risks: Poor self-control can lead to a range of problems, including social and legal issues, financial problems, and health complications.
Symptoms, Therapy, and Healing
- Therapy Techniques: Cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and habit reversal training are commonly used to improve self-control. These techniques help individuals recognize the situations in which they are likely to lose control and implement alternative behaviors.
- Healing Process: Building self-control is a gradual process that involves developing greater awareness of one’s impulses, practicing delayed gratification, and reinforcing positive behavior patterns.
Articles with 'Self-control' in the title
- Insufficient Self-Control/Self-Discipline: Insufficient Self-Control/Self-Discipline: Insufficient Self-Control /Self-Discipline refers to the sense that a person cannot accomplish his goals, especially if the process contains boring, repetitive, or frustrating aspects
Summary
In psychology, self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in pursuit of long-term goals. It is essential for personal and social development, contributing significantly to an individual's success and well-being. Effective self-control strategies are integral in psychological therapy and are important for managing a variety of life challenges and psychological conditions.
--
Related Articles to the term 'Self-control' | |
'Willpower' | ■■■■■■■■■■ |
Willpower in the psychology context refers to the ability to resist short-term temptations and impulses . . . Read More | |
'Activity' at quality-database.eu | ■■■■■■■■■ |
Activity: In the context of quality management, an activity refers to any task, operation, or process . . . Read More | |
'Self Control Theory' | ■■■■■■■■■ |
Self-Control Theory, in the context of psychology, refers to a framework that examines how individuals . . . Read More | |
'Influence' at quality-database.eu | ■■■■■■■■ |
Influence in the context of quality management refers to the capacity of various factors—be it individuals, . . . Read More | |
'Discipline' | ■■■■■■■■ |
Discipline refers to the treatment that corrects or punishes and is intended to control or to establish . . . Read More | |
'Standard' at glorious-food-glossary.com | ■■■■■■■ |
Standard in the food context refers to established criteria or specifications that ensure the quality, . . . Read More | |
'Process' at maritime-glossary.com | ■■■■■■■ |
Process in the maritime context refers to a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular . . . Read More | |
'Assessment' at top500.de | ■■■■■■■ |
Assessment in the industrial context refers to the systematic process of evaluating and analyzing various . . . Read More | |
'Observation' at quality-database.eu | ■■■■■■■ |
In the quality management context, "Observation" refers to the systematic process of monitoring, recording, . . . Read More | |
'Regulation' at quality-database.eu | ■■■■■■■ |
Regulation in the quality management context refers to rules, guidelines, or standards established by . . . Read More |