Self-control is a fundamental aspect of human behavior, playing a crucial role in regulating emotions, thoughts, and actions. It is a key component of executive functions, which are cognitive processes
necessary for goal-directed behavior. This article delves into how self-control supports planning and decision-making, distinguishing it from broader constructs like self-regulation.
Understanding Self-Control as an Executive Function
Self-control is an aspect of inhibitory control, one of the core human executive functions. These functions are essential for regulating behavior to achieve specific goals. As an executive function, self-control aids in planning and decision-making, allowing individuals to manage their impulses and focus on long-term objectives. This ability to regulate one's actions in the face of temptations and impulses is what sets self-control apart from other cognitive processes.
In psychology, self-control is often distinguished from self-regulation, which involves monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining behavior and emotional states across changing situations. While self-regulation encompasses a broader range of activities, self-control specifically focuses on the ability to inhibit impulses that may derail goal-directed behavior.
The Muscle Model of Self-Control
One influential model describes self-control as operating like a muscle that draws on a limited resource. In the short term, exerting self-control can lead to the depletion of this resource, making it harder to maintain self-control over time. However, just like a muscle, self-control can be strengthened with practice. Over the long term, regular use of self-control can improve an individual's ability to manage their impulses and stay focused on their goals.
This muscle model highlights the importance of self-control in achieving long-term objectives. By understanding self-control as a resource that can be depleted and strengthened, individuals can develop strategies to enhance their self-control and improve their ability to achieve their goals.
Self-Control and the General Theory of Crime
Self-control is also a key concept in the general theory of crime, a major theory in criminology. Developed by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi, this theory defines self-control as the tendency of individuals to avoid criminal acts, independent of the situations they find themselves in. According to this theory, individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in impulsive, risky, and inconsiderate behavior.
Research has shown that about 70 percent of the variance in self-control can be attributed to genetic factors. This suggests that while self-control can be developed and strengthened, there are also inherent differences in individuals' ability to regulate their behavior. Understanding these differences can help in developing interventions to improve self-control and reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior.
