essay self control

Essay on Self Control

Students are often asked to write an essay on Self Control in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Self Control

Understanding self control.

Self-control is the ability to manage your actions, feelings and emotions. It’s about restraining impulses and delaying gratification. It’s like a muscle that gets stronger with practice.

The Importance of Self Control

Self-control is important for success in life. It helps in making good decisions and resisting temptations. Without it, we may act on impulse and regret later.

Ways to Improve Self Control

Building self-control can be challenging but possible. Practice mindfulness, set clear goals, and develop a strong will power. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes, but important to learn from them.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Self Control

Introduction to self-control.

Self-control, often synonymous with self-discipline, is a critical aspect of human behavior and personality. It refers to the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. As an executive function, self-control is a cognitive process that is necessary for regulating one’s behavior to achieve specific goals.

The Importance of Self-Control

A well-developed sense of self-control enables individuals to set goals and, more importantly, to achieve them. It is a key component of emotional intelligence and is associated with various positive outcomes in life, such as academic success, physical health, psychological health, and social competence. Self-control is what enables us to maintain our focus on a task despite distractions and to persist in the face of difficulties.

Self-Control and Decision Making

Self-control plays a pivotal role in decision-making processes. It allows us to make thoughtful decisions by preventing impulsive reactions. It also helps us to delay gratification and to resist the temptation of immediate rewards in favor of larger, future rewards.

In conclusion, self-control is a pivotal skill that underlies a wide range of behaviors and capabilities. It is not just about resisting temptations or delaying gratification, but also about making conscious, thoughtful choices and acting in accordance with our long-term goals. Cultivating self-control can lead to significant benefits in various aspects of life, making it a crucial area for personal development.

500 Words Essay on Self Control

Introduction.

Self-control, a fundamental human attribute, is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. As an executive function, self-control is a cognitive process that is necessary for regulating one’s behavior in order to achieve specific goals.

The Nature of Self-Control

Self-control is not just a singular act but an ongoing process. It involves the constant interplay of our conscious goals and subconscious desires. This tug-of-war between what we want and what we should do is the crux of self-control. The ability to delay gratification, resist short-term temptations for long-term gains, and manage disruptive emotions and impulses is central to self-control. Importantly, self-control is not about total suppression of impulses but rather about managing them in a way that aligns with our long-term goals.

In the context of academic success, self-control is arguably more important than intelligence. A student with a high degree of self-control can manage their time effectively, resist the allure of distractions, and persist in the face of difficulties. These qualities are invaluable in the pursuit of academic success.

Moreover, self-control has a significant impact on our personal and professional lives. It affects our interpersonal relationships, physical and mental health, financial stability, and overall life satisfaction. A lack of self-control can lead to a host of problems, including addiction, obesity, financial debt, and relationship conflicts.

Developing Self-Control

While some people may naturally have a higher degree of self-control, it is a skill that can be developed and strengthened. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive-behavioral strategies can improve self-control.

Mindfulness involves paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment without judgment. This heightened awareness can help us recognize our impulses and choose how to respond to them.

Self-control is a vital skill that underpins various aspects of our lives. While it may be challenging to exercise at times, it is possible to develop and enhance through consistent effort and practice. Ultimately, self-control is not just about resisting temptations or suppressing desires; it is about making conscious choices that align with our long-term goals and values. The power of self-control lies in its capacity to provide us with the freedom to live according to our deepest values, and in doing so, lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

The Importance of Self-Control

How it works

Self-control, you know, is often seen as one of those key things that can really shape how well we do in life. It’s all about being able to keep your emotions, thoughts, and actions in check, even when temptations are everywhere. These days, with so many things offering instant rewards, being able to hold back is even more important. Let’s dive into why self-control matters so much, looking at areas like school, mental health, and our relationships with others.

1 Doing Well in School and Self-Control
2 Mental Health and Self-Control
3 Relationships and Self-Control
4 Wrapping Up

Doing Well in School and Self-Control

There’s a lot of proof that shows a link between self-control and doing well in school. Kids who can control themselves tend to get better grades. Why? Well, for one, self-control helps with using time wisely. Procrastination, something lots of people struggle with, is really just a lack of self-control. When students can ignore distractions, they can spend their time studying and doing homework instead.

Also, self-control helps with setting and achieving long-term goals. Doing well in school isn’t just about being smart; it’s about sticking with it and putting in the effort. The ability to wait for a bigger reward—like studying for a test instead of going to a party—can lead to better grades and a deeper understanding of what they’re learning.

Plus, self-control helps students stay focused during classes and study sessions. Being able to pay attention and not get sidetracked by social media or chatting with friends helps them learn and remember stuff better. So, self-control isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s key to doing well in school.

Mental Health and Self-Control

Self-control isn’t just about school; it’s super important for mental health too. People who practice self-control can handle stress and anxiety better. By keeping their reactions in check and staying balanced, they can face challenges calmly and logically.

It also helps with managing emotions. Being able to control your feelings—like not exploding in anger or giving in to sadness—helps keep you emotionally stable. This emotional control is crucial for building resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from tough times.

Moreover, self-control can lower the risk of certain mental health issues. Problems like binge eating or substance abuse often come from not being able to control impulses. By building self-control, people can reduce their chances of falling into these issues, leading to a healthier life.

Relationships and Self-Control

Self-control is a big deal when it comes to relationships too. Being able to control yourself in social situations leads to better and more meaningful connections. For example, during an argument, self-control can stop you from saying something hurtful in the heat of the moment. Instead, it allows for calm and constructive conversations, which are essential for resolving conflicts and keeping the peace.

It also helps with empathy and patience. Being able to listen and respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively makes for better understanding and connection with others. This empathetic approach is key for building trust and rapport, whether it’s with friends, partners, or colleagues.

Additionally, self-control in relationships means respecting personal boundaries. It involves having the discipline to say no when needed and respecting others when they do the same. This mutual respect is the foundation of any healthy relationship.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, self-control is a really valuable trait that affects many parts of our lives, from doing well in school to mental health and relationships. It helps with managing time, setting goals, and handling emotions. By developing self-control, we can face life’s challenges with strength and grace, build strong connections, and reach our goals. In a world full of distractions, being able to control ourselves isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for a happy and successful life.

Cite this page

The Importance of Self-Control. (2024, Sep 17). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/

"The Importance of Self-Control." PapersOwl.com , 17 Sep 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Importance of Self-Control . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/ [Accessed: 19 Sep. 2024]

"The Importance of Self-Control." PapersOwl.com, Sep 17, 2024. Accessed September 19, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/

"The Importance of Self-Control," PapersOwl.com , 17-Sep-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/. [Accessed: 19-Sep-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Importance of Self-Control . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-importance-of-self-control/ [Accessed: 19-Sep-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control

With more self-control would we all eat right, exercise regularly, avoid drugs and alcohol, save for retirement, stop procrastinating, and achieve all sorts of noble goals?

Health and Behavior
Personality

Many people believe they could improve their lives if only they had more of that mysterious thing called willpower. With more self-control we would all eat right, exercise regularly, avoid drugs and alcohol, save for retirement, stop procrastinating, and achieve all sorts of noble goals.

Take, for example, the results of the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America Survey. The survey asks, among other things, about participants’ abilities to make healthy lifestyle changes. Survey participants regularly cite lack of willpower as the No. 1 reason for not following through with such changes.

Introduction

On the other hand, many survey participants reported that having more time for themselves would help them overcome their lack of willpower. Yet willpower doesn’t automatically grow when you have extra time on your hands.

So how can individuals resist in the face of temptation? In recent years, scientists have made some compelling discoveries about the ways that willpower works. This report will explore our current understanding of self-control.

Lack of willpower isn’t the only reason you might fail to reach your goals. Willpower researcher Roy Baumeister, PhD, a psychologist at Florida State University, describes three necessary components for achieving objectives: First, he says, you need to establish the motivation for change and set a clear goal. Second, you need to monitor your behavior toward that goal. The third component is willpower. Whether your goal is to lose weight, kick a smoking habit, study more, or spend less time on Facebook, willpower is a critical step to achieving that outcome.

They found students who ranked high on self-discipline had better grades, better school attendance, and higher standardized-test scores, and were more likely to be admitted to a competitive high school program. Self-discipline, the researchers found, was more important than IQ in predicting academic success.

Other studies have uncovered similar patterns. June Tangney, PhD, of George Mason University, and colleagues compared willpower by asking undergraduate students to complete questionnaires designed to measure their self-control. The scientists also created a scale to score the student’s relative willpower strength. They found the students’ self-control scores correlated with higher grade-point averages, higher self-esteem, less binge eating and alcohol abuse, and better relationship skills.

The benefits of willpower seem to extend well beyond the college years. Terrie Moffitt, PhD, of Duke University, and colleagues studied self-control in a group of 1,000 individuals who were tracked from birth to age 32 as part of a long-term health study in Dunedin, New Zealand. Moffitt and her colleagues found that individuals with high self-control in childhood (as reported by teachers, parents and the children themselves) grew into adults with greater physical and mental health, fewer substance-abuse problems and criminal convictions, and better savings behavior and financial security.

Those patterns held even after the researchers controlled for the children’s socioeconomic status, home lives, and general intelligence. Such findings underscore the importance of willpower in nearly all areas of life.

Defining willpower

We have many common names for willpower: determination, drive, resolve, self-discipline, self-control. But psychologists characterize willpower, or self-control, in more specific ways. According to most psychological scientists, willpower can be defined as:

The ability to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals
The capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling, or impulse
The ability to employ a “cool” cognitive system of behavior rather than a “hot” emotional system
Conscious, effortful regulation of the self by the self
A limited resource capable of being depleted

Delaying gratification

More than 40 years ago, Walter Mischel, PhD, a psychologist now at Columbia University, explored self-control in children with a simple but effective test. His experiments using the “marshmallow test,” as it came to be known, laid the groundwork for the modern study of self-control.

In children as well as adults, willpower can be thought of as a basic ability to delay gratification. Preschoolers with good self-control sacrifice the immediate pleasure of a chewy marshmallow in order to indulge in two marshmallows at some later point. Ex-smokers forfeit the enjoyment of a cigarette in order to experience good health and avoid an increased risk of lung cancer in the future. Shoppers resist splurging at the mall so they can save for a comfortable retirement. And so on.

The marshmallow experiments eventually led Mischel and his colleagues to develop a framework to explain our ability to delay gratification. He proposed what he calls a “hot-and-cool” system to explain why willpower succeeds or fails.

The cool system is cognitive in nature. It’s essentially a thinking system, incorporating knowledge about sensations, feelings, actions and goals—reminding yourself, for instance, why you shouldn’t eat the marshmallow. While the cool system is reflective, the hot system is impulsive and emotional. The hot system is responsible for quick, reflexive responses to certain triggers—such as popping the marshmallow into your mouth without thinking of the long-term implications. If this framework were a cartoon, the cool system would be the angel on your shoulder, and the hot system the devil.

As it turns out, the marshmallow study didn’t end there. Recently, B.J. Casey, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medical College, along with Mischel, Yuichi Shoda, PhD, of the University of Washington, and other colleagues tracked down 59 subjects, now in their 40s, who had participated in the marshmallow experiments as children. The researchers tested the subjects’ willpower strength with a laboratory task known to demonstrate self-control in adults.

Amazingly, the subjects’ willpower differences had largely held up over four decades. In general, children who were less successful at resisting the marshmallow all those years ago did more poorly on the self-control task as adults. An individual’s sensitivity to so-called hot stimuli, it seems, may persist throughout his or her lifetime.

Research has yet to fully explain why some people are more sensitive to emotional triggers and temptations, and whether these patterns might be corrected. However, the recent findings offer an intriguing neurobiological basis for the push and pull of temptation.

Download a print version of “Delaying Gratification” (PDF, 73KB)

Casey, B. J., et al. (2011). Behavioral and neural correlates of delay of gratification 40 years later. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108, 1498–5003.
Metcalfe J., & Mischel, W. (1999). A hot/cool system analysis of delay of gratification: dynamics of willpower. Psychological Review, 106, 3–19.
Mischel, M. et al. (1989). Delay of gratification in children. Science, 244, 933–938.
Mischel, M., & Ayduk, O. (2004). Willpower in a cognitive-affective processing system: the dynamics of delay of gratification. In R.F. Baumeister & K.D. Vohs (Eds.), Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory, and Applications New York, NY: Guildford Press.
Nordgren, L., & Chou, E. (2011). The push and pull of temptation: the bidirectional influence of temptation on self-control. Psychological Science , 22, 1386–1390.

Is willpower a limited resource?

Although Walter Mischel’s hot-cool framework may explain our ability to delay gratification, another theory known as willpower depletion has emerged to explain what happens after we’ve resisted temptation after temptation. Every day, in one form or another, you exert willpower. You resist the urge to surf the web instead of finishing your expense report. You reach for a salad when you’re craving a burger. You bite your tongue when you’d like to make a snide remark. Yet a growing body of research shows that resisting repeated temptations takes a mental toll. Some experts liken willpower to a muscle that can get fatigued from overuse.

Baumeister and his colleagues found that people who ate radishes (and therefore resisted the enticing cookies) gave up on the puzzle after about eight minutes, while the lucky cookie-eaters persevered for nearly 19 minutes, on average. Drawing on willpower to resist the cookies, it seemed, drained the subjects’ self-control for subsequent situations.

Since that work was published in 1998, numerous studies have built a case for willpower depletion, or ego depletion, as some experts call it. In one example, volunteers asked to suppress their feelings as they viewed an emotional movie gave up sooner on a test of physical stamina than did volunteers who watched the film and reacted normally. In another, people who actively suppressed certain thoughts were less able to stifle their laughter in a follow-up test designed to make them giggle.

Unfortunately, depleting events are all too common. If you’ve ever willed yourself to be diplomatic with an infuriating colleague or forced a smile through your in-laws’ extended visit, you’ve probably discovered that social interactions often demand self-control. Indeed, research shows that interacting with others and maintaining relationships can deplete willpower. In one demonstration of that effect, Kathleen Vohs, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, and her colleagues found that people asked to convince a hostile audience that they were likable suffered more depletion than people who were simply asked to act naturally before the audience.

Dealing with a hostile audience (or your in-laws) may feel exhausting, but depletion is not simply a matter of being tired, as Vohs demonstrated. She subjected half of her study subjects to 24 hours of sleep deprivation before asking them to suppress their emotional reactions to a film clip. Then she tested the subjects’ self-control strength. To her surprise, she found that the subjects who’d been up all night were no more likely to become willpower-depleted than those who’d spent the night snug in their beds.

Other evidence suggests that willpower-depleted individuals might literally be low on fuel. The brain is a high-energy organ, powered by a steady supply of glucose (blood sugar). Some researchers have proposed that brain cells working hard to maintain self-control consume glucose faster than it can be replenished. In a study lending support to this idea, obedient dogs made to resist temptation had lower blood-glucose levels than dogs who did not exert self-control.

Studies in humans have found similar patterns. Human subjects who exerted willpower in lab tasks had lower glucose levels than control subjects who weren’t asked to draw on their self-control. Furthermore, restoring glucose appears to help reboot run-down willpower. One study, for example, found that drinking sugar-sweetened lemonade restored willpower strength in depleted individuals, while drinking sugar-free lemonade did not.

Yet evidence also suggests that willpower depletion can be kept in check by your beliefs and attitudes. Mark Muraven, PhD, of the University at Albany, and colleagues found that people who felt compelled to exert self-control (in order to please others, for example) were more easily depleted than people who were driven by their own internal goals and desires. When it comes to willpower, those who are in touch with themselves may be better off than their people-pleasing counterparts.

Muraven, Baumeister, and their colleagues also explored the effects of mood. By lifting their subjects’ spirits with comedy videos and surprise gifts, they demonstrated that a good mood can overcome some of the willpower-depletion effects normally seen after exercising self-control.

In a second component of that study, the researchers manipulated volunteers’ beliefs about willpower by asking them to fill out subtly biased questionnaires. The volunteers who had been led to believe that willpower was a limited resource showed signs of ego depletion, while those who had been led to believe that willpower was not limited showed no signs of dwindling self-control.

So is willpower a limited resource? Proponents of this idea point to a large and robust body of supporting evidence that has accumulated over the last decade. They argue that factors such as mood and belief may only buffer the effects of willpower depletion in its earliest stages. Still, further research is needed to explore how beliefs, moods and attitudes might affect one’s ability to resist temptation.

Download a print version of “Is Willpower a Limited Resource?” (PDF, 106KB)

Baumeister, et al. (1998). Ego depletion: Is the active self a limited resource? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 74, 1252–1265.
Baumeister, et al. (2007). The strength model of self-control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16, 351–355.
Gailliot, M., et al. (2007). Self-control relies on glucose as a limited energy source: Willpower is more than a metaphor. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 325–336.
Inzlicht, M., & Gutsell, J. (2007). Running on empty: Neural signals for self-control failure. Psychological Science, 18, 933–937.
Job, V., et al. (2010). Ego depletion—Is it all in your head? Implicit theories about willpower affect self-regulation. Psychological Science, 21, 1686–1693.
Martijn, C., et al. (2002). Getting a grip on ourselves: Challenging expectancies about loss of energy after self-control. Social Cognition, 20, 441–460.
Muraven, M., & Baumeister, R. (2000). Self-regulation and depletion of limited resources: Does self-control resemble a muscle? Psychological Bulletin, 126, 247–259.
Muraven, M. (in press). Ego-depletion: Theory and evidence. In R.M. Ryan (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Motivation Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Muraven, M., et al. (2008). Helpful self-control: Autonomy support, vitality, and depletion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 44, 573–585.
Tice, D., et al. (2007). Restoring the self: Positive affect helps improve self-regulation following ego depletion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43, 379–384.
Vohs, K., et al. (2011). Ego depletion is not just fatigue: Evidence from a total sleep deprivation experiment. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2, 166–173.
Vohs, K., et al. (2005). Self-regulation and self-presentation: Regulatory resource depletion impairs impression management and effortful self-presentation depletes regulatory resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 632–657.

Willpower and healthy behaviors

Every day, you make decisions to resist impulses in the quest for a healthier, happier life. Whether it’s turning down a second helping of mashed potatoes, dragging yourself to the gym, forgoing another round of cocktails, or resisting the urge to skip the Monday morning meeting, your will is tested on a near-constant basis.

However, as described in the previous section, resisting those impulses may diminish one’s strength to withstand the next temptation. Todd Heatherton, PhD, of Dartmouth College, and Kathleen Vohs demonstrated this in a study in which they offered dieting students ice cream after they’d watched a sad film. Some of the subjects had watched normally, while others were instructed to stifle their emotional reactions, an effort that required willpower.

The researchers found that dieters who tapped into their willpower to squelch their feelings ate considerably more ice cream than did dieters who were free to respond emotionally to the movie.

People often blame bad moods for so-called “emotional eating.” But Heatherton and Vohs found that their subjects’ emotional states didn’t influence how much ice cream they ate. In other words, willpower depletion was more important than mood in determining why the subjects indulged.

The reasons that someone is dieting may also play a role. As the previous section described, Muraven and colleagues found that your beliefs and attitudes may buffer you from the effects of depletion. In one example of this idea, he asked volunteers to resist eating from a plate of cookies placed before them. Then he tested their self-control strength by having them squeeze an exercise handgrip for as long as they could.

He found that the people who chose not to eat the cookies for internal reasons (such as enjoying the challenge of resisting the treats) showed better self-control in the handgrip test than did people who resisted for external reasons (such as wanting to please the experimenter).

Some experts believe that stressing self-control and personal choice stigmatizes people—and is unlikely to motivate them to lose weight. Health practitioners should avoid emphasizing willpower, such experts argue, and focus on minimizing the impact of the environment on eating behavior.

After all, when it comes to our modern environment, resisting the urge to overeat can be an enormous challenge. We’re bombarded with ads for high-calorie treats. Fast, cheap, processed food is readily available 24 hours a day, seven days a week—and often costs less than healthier options.

Still, both willpower and the environment play a role in food-related choices. Better understanding of both elements will improve options for individuals and health practitioners wrestling with obesity.

Willpower plays a role in other healthy lifestyle choices as well, including the use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Developing good self-control as children may prevent substance abuse problems in teenagers and adults, according to Kevin King, PhD, of the University of Washington.

King and his colleagues explored self-control in adolescents as they progressed from grades 6 to 11. They found that the adolescents who had more self-control problems in sixth grade—such as talking out of turn in class or acting without thinking—were more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana as high school juniors.

In another study, he found that on days when underage social drinkers found themselves having to exert more self-control than usual, they were more likely to violate their own self-imposed drinking limits. This finding provides more evidence that exerting willpower in one sphere can undermine your capacity to resist temptations in other, unrelated areas of life.

Understanding the role of willpower is likely to be important for developing effective treatments for addiction and in helping guide people toward making healthy choices, such as eating well, exercising, and avoiding illicit substances. Research on willpower already offers suggestions for sticking with healthy behaviors. Strategies for managing willpower will be discussed in the final section of this report.

Download a print version of “Willpower and Healthy Behaviors” (PDF, 248KB)

Appelhans, B., et al. (2011). Time to abandon the notion of personal choice in dietary counseling for obesity? Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111, 1130–1136.
King, K., et al. (2011). Changes in self-control problems and attention problems during middle school predict alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use during high school. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 25, 69–79 .
Muraen, M. (2008). Autonomous self-control is less depleting. Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 763–770.
Muraven, M., & Shmueli, D. (2006). The self-control costs of fighting the temptation to drink. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20, 154–160.
Muraven, M., et al. (2005). Daily fluctuations in self-control demands and alcohol intake. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19, 140–147.
Muraven, M., et al. (2002). Self-control and alcohol restraint: An initial application of the self-control strength model. Psychology of Additive Behaviors, 16, 113–120.
Tsukayama, E., et al. (2010). Self-control as a protective factor against overweight status in the transition from childhood to adolescence. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 164, 631–635.
Vohs, K., & Heatherton, T. (2000). Self-regulatory failure: A resource-depletion approach. Psychological Science, 11, 249–254.

Willpower, poverty, and financial decision-making

Whether you’re lured by new shoes or a new car, the temptation to buy is an all-too-familiar test of will. Just as unhealthy food choices have become ubiquitous, so too have opportunities for impulse spending. ATMs are everywhere, and online shopping means you can burn through your savings without ever leaving the house. And as in other areas of life, from overeating to resisting alcohol, people’s purchasing behavior has been shown to be subject to willpower depletion.

In a second experiment, Vohs and Faber tested subjects’ actual spending behavior by presenting them with an opportunity to purchase low-cost items such as mugs and playing cards. Those who had previously exerted self-control in a lab exercise reported experiencing more temptation to buy. And in fact they purchased a larger number of items and spent a greater amount of money than did participants who hadn’t performed the willpower-draining task.

Financial decision-making may be even more challenging for people living in poverty. Princeton University doctoral candidate Dean Spears conducted a series of experiments in rural India to explore the link between willpower strength and poverty. In one, he visited two villages, one richer and one poorer, and offered people a chance to purchase a popular brand of body soap at a significantly discounted price. The soap was a good deal, but it still represented a potentially difficult financial decision for individuals living in poverty.

Before and after offering the soap was offered, the experimenters asked the participants to squeeze an exercise handgrip, a common test of self-control strength. Spears found that richer participants squeezed the handgrip for about the same amount of time before and after the soap-purchasing opportunity. Poorer participants, though, squeezed for a significantly shorter duration the second time around. Their willpower strength, he concluded, had been run down by their difficult financial decision-making.

In another study, Spears turned his attention to a cross-section of American shoppers. All shoppers, rich and poor, engage in economic decision-making. But financial decisions that are quick and easy for richer shoppers are likely to represent difficult tests of self-control among people who are financially insecure.

Therefore, poorer shoppers, Spears reasoned, would likely experience a greater depletion of their willpower as they faced repeated, difficult financial decisions. And in fact, he found that poorer individuals were considerably more likely to consume food and drink while shopping than were richer individuals—an indicator that financial decision-making had run down their self-control stockpiles.

Together these findings suggest that people at the low end of the socioeconomic spectrum may be particularly vulnerable to a breakdown of their willpower resources. It’s not that the poor have less willpower than the rich, experts conclude. Rather, for people living in poverty, every decision—even whether to buy soap—requires self control, and dips into their limited pool of willpower.

Download a print version of “Willpower, Poverty and Financial Decision-Making” (PDF, 80KB)

Ashraf, N., et al. (2006). Tying Odysseus to the mast: evidence from a commitment savings product in the Philippines. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 121, 635–672.
Baumeister, R., et al. (2007). Free will in consumer behavior: self-control, ego depletion, and choice. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 18, 4–13.
Spears, D. (2010). Economic decision-making in poverty depletes behavioral control (Working Paper No. 213). Retrieved from Center for Policy Studies, Princeton University website
Vohs, K., Baumeister, R., & Tice, D. (2006). Self-regulation: goals, consumption, and choices. In C. P. Haugtvedt, P. Herr, & F. Kardes (Eds.), Handbook of Consumer Psychology
Vohs, K., & Faber, R., (2007). Spent resources: self-regulatory availability affects impulse buying. Journal of Consumer Research, 33, 537–547.

Strengthening self-control

A large body of research has been developed in recent years to explain many facets of willpower. Most of the researchers exploring self-control do so with an obvious goal in mind: How can willpower be strengthened? If willpower is truly a limited resource, as the research suggests, what can be done to conserve it?

The “out of sight, out of mind” principle applies to adults, too. One recent study, for instance, found office workers who kept candy in a desk drawer indulged less than when they kept the candy on top of their desks, in plain sight.

Another helpful tactic for improving self-control is a technique that psychologists call an “implementation intention.” Usually these intentions take the form of “if-then” statements that help people plan for situations that are likely to foil their resolve. For example, someone who’s watching her alcohol intake might tell herself before a party, “If anyone offers me a drink, then I’ll ask for club soda with lime.”

Research among adolescents and adults has found that implementation intentions improve self-control, even among people whose willpower has been depleted by laboratory tasks. Having a plan in place ahead of time may allow you to make decisions in the moment without having to draw on your willpower.

The research suggesting that we possess a limited reservoir of self-control raises a troubling question. When we face too many temptations, are we destined to fail? Not necessarily. Researchers don’t believe that one’s willpower is ever completely exhausted. Rather, people appear to hold some willpower in reserve, conserved for future demands. The right motivation allows us to tap into those reserves, allowing us to persevere even when our self-control strength has been run down.

In a demonstration of this idea, Mark Muraven found that willpower-depleted individuals persisted on a self-control task when they were told they’d be paid for their efforts, or that their efforts would benefit others (such as helping to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease). High motivation, he concludes, might help overcome weakened willpower—at least to a point.

In one of the first demonstrations of this idea, Muraven and his colleagues asked volunteers to follow a two-week regimen to track their food intake, improve their moods or improve their posture. Compared to a control group, the participants who had exerted self-control by performing the assigned exercises were less vulnerable to willpower depletion in follow-up lab tests.

In another study, he found that smokers who practiced self-control for two weeks by avoiding sweets or regularly squeezing a handgrip were more successful at quitting smoking than control subjects who performed two weeks of regular tasks that required no self-control, such as writing in a diary.

Others have also found that flexing your willpower muscles can strengthen self-control over time. Australian scientists Megan Oaten, PhD, and Ken Cheng, PhD, of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, assigned volunteers to a two-month program of physical exercise—a routine that required willpower. At the end of two months, participants who had stuck with the program did better on a lab measure of self-control than did participants who were not assigned to the exercise regimen. That’s not all. The subjects also reported smoking less and drinking less alcohol, eating healthier food, monitoring their spending more carefully, and improving their study habits. Regularly exercising their willpower with physical exercise, it seemed, led to better willpower in nearly all areas of their lives.

The findings that willpower depletion is tied to glucose levels also suggest a possible remedy. Eating regularly to maintain blood-sugar levels in the brain may help refuel run-down willpower stores. (But don’t let the term “sugar” fool you. Healthy meals without refined sugar are actually better than sweets at keeping blood-sugar levels on an even keel, experts say.) Dieters, who are aiming to maintain willpower while cutting calories, might do better eating frequent small meals rather than skipping breakfast or lunch.

Once a good habit is in place, Baumeister says, you’ll no longer need to draw on your willpower to maintain the behavior. Eventually healthy habits will become routine, and won’t require making decisions at all.

Many questions about the nature of self-control remain to be answered by further research. Yet it seems likely that with clear goals, good self-monitoring, and a little practice, you can train your willpower to stay strong in the face of temptation.

Download a print version of “Strengthening Self-Control” (PDF, 233KB)

Baumeister, R., & Vohs, K. (2007). Self-regulation, ego depletion, and motivation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 1–14.
Baumeister, R., et al. (2006). Self-regulation and personality: How interventions increase regulatory success, and how depletion moderates the effects of traits on behavior. Journal of Personality, 74, 1773–1801.
Duckworth, A., et al. (2011). Self-regulation strategies improve self-discipline in adolescents: Benefits of mental contrasting and implementation intentions. Educational Psychology, 31, 17–26.
Oaten, M., & Cheng, K. (2006). Longitudinal gains in self-regulation from physical exercise. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11, 717–733.
Painter, J., et al. (2002). How visibility and convenience influence candy consumption. Appetite, 38, 237–238.
Muraven, M. (2010). Practicing self-control lowers the risk of smoking lapse. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24, 446–452.
Muraven, M., & Slessareva, E. (2003). Mechanism of self-control failure: Motivation and limited resources. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 894–906.
Muraven, M. et al. (1999). Longitudinal improvement of self-regulation through practice: Building self-control strength through repeated exercise. Journal of Social Psychology, 139, 446–457.
Webb, T., & Sheeran, P. (2003). Can implementation intentions help to overcome ego-depletion? Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 39, 279–286.

Key points and conclusions

Willpower is the ability to resist short-term gratification in pursuit of long-term goals or objectives.
Willpower is correlated with positive life outcomes such as better grades, higher self-esteem, lower substance abuse rates, greater financial security, and improved physical and mental health.
When willpower fails, exposure to an emotionally charged stimulus overrides one’s rational, cognitive system, leading to impulsive actions.
One’s capacity for self-control appears to be persistent. Children with better self-control as preschoolers tend to have better self-control as adults.
Individuals with low self-control show differing brain patterns when presented with tempting stimuli.
Willpower can be compared to a muscle that becomes fatigued with overuse. Studies show that repeatedly resisting temptation drains your ability to withstand future enticements.
Willpower depletion has a physical basis. Individuals whose willpower has been depleted have decreased activity in a brain region involved with cognition, and have lower blood-glucose levels than do people whose willpower has not been diminished.
The effects of willpower depletion may be mitigated by positive moods, beliefs, and attitudes.
Willpower depletion impacts a range of behaviors, including food intake, substance use and abuse, and purchasing behavior.
Financial decision-making may be even more depleting for people living in poverty, since virtually all financial decisions are likely to represent difficult tests of self-control among people who are financially insecure.
Avoiding temptation and planning ahead are effective tactics for maintaining self-control in the face of temptation.
With the right motivation, you may be able to persevere even when your willpower strength has been depleted.
Maintaining steady blood-glucose levels, such as by eating regular healthy meals and snacks, may help prevent the effects of willpower depletion.
Because being depleted in one area can reduce willpower in other spheres, it is more effective to focus on a single goal at a time rather than attacking a list of multiple resolutions at once.
Just as muscles are strengthened by regular exercise, regularly exerting self-control may improve willpower strength over time.

Download a print version of “Key Points and Conclusions” (PDF, 120KB)

This report is for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered psychotherapy or any form of treatment or counseling. APA is not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local emergency number or the mental health crisis hotline listed in your local phone book’s government pages. To find a psychologist in your area, use APA’s Psychologist Locator .

What Is Willpower?

Understanding the Psychology of Self-Control

Ego Depletion
Willpower and Success

Why Willpower Is Important

How to strengthen willpower.

Willpower involves the ability to exert self-control over your own behavior to carry out your goals and intentions. It involves resisting temptations so that you can stay on task.

If you are like many people, you might think you could finally achieve your goals with enough willpower. Sometimes it might seem like the only thing holding you back from losing those last 10 pounds, saving for retirement, sticking to an exercise routine, and avoiding various vices such as alcohol and cigarettes is your self-control .

At a Glance

Willpower involves your capacity to resist temptations as you pursue your goals. Research suggests it can play a role in your success in life, but it's also a limited resource that can become depleted if you are constantly working to delay gratification. Fortunately, experts believe that there are steps you can take to boost your willpower. Take time to rest, practice meditation, exercise your self-control, and avoid temptations when you can.

Willpower goes by many names: drive, determination, self-discipline , self-control, resolve.

At its simplest, willpower is the ability to control or restrain yourself, and the ability to resist instant gratification in order to achieve long-term goals. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), other definitions include:

The capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling, or impulse
The ability to employ a "cool" cognitive system of behavior rather than a "hot" emotional system
The conscious, effortful regulation of the self by the self

Some researchers believe that willpower is partly determined by genetics. However, other factors including upbringing, life experiences, personality, and socioeconomic factors can also play a role.

Is Willpower a Limited Resource?

Some experts believe that everyone has a limited supply of willpower, and it decreases with overuse—much like the gas in your car. As long as you have gas, you can drive. When it runs out, your car stops, and that's it. This is called " ego depletion ."

Social psychologist Roy Baumeister was one of the first to demonstrate the ego depletion effect in his now-famous "cookies and radishes" experiment. In the study, he invited students to eat fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, and asked others to resist the cookies and munch on radishes instead. They were then given an impossible puzzle to solve. And what did they find?

The students who ate the cookies worked on the puzzles for 19 minutes. But the students who resisted the tempting cookies lasted an average of just eight minutes.

Baumeister interpreted this to mean that those who had to use willpower to resist temptation simply didn’t have enough energy to fully engage in yet another willpower challenge.

Does More Willpower Equal More Success?

Some psychologists have proposed that willpower can predict success in life. In psychologist Walter Mischel's classic "marshmallow test," pre-school aged kids were placed in a room with a bowl of marshmallows on the table. The kids were told they could either eat one marshmallow right away or wait 15 minutes and get two marshmallows.

Several years later, researchers tracked down the test subjects as adolescents. They found that those who held out for more marshmallows :

Had higher self-esteem
Got higher SAT scores
Managed stress more effectively
Performed better in school

And these benefits seem to extend well beyond childhood and adolescence. Research shows that adults with high self-control are less likely to abuse alcohol and other substances, have better relationships, and have fewer mental health problems.

Subsequent research suggests that it isn't just willpower that predicts a child's behavior in the marshmallow test. Instead, social trust also plays a pivotal role.

Kids who have trust that there will be more marshmallows to eat later on are better able to delay gratification. Those who aren't sure if they can depend on things being available in the future are more likely to eat the marshmallow immediately.

Such results don't debunk Mischel's findings that willpower supports success. However, they suggest that socioeconomic factors and trust play a role in determining willpower.

Willpower impacts every area of your life. It helps you accomplish a variety of goals, from exercising to saving money. Willpower allows you to pursue your goals and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving them. It can improve your overall subjective well-being and help you to feel happier and more fulfilled in your life. The problem is that constantly resisting temptations can take a toll on your willpower. And always deferring your needs and desires can create prolonged stress and even harm your mental health.

Taking steps to find balance in your life can help you pursue your goals, build your willpower, and still indulge in the things that bring you joy.

While many of us struggle with willpower and self-control, most people also seem to believe this skill can be learned and strengthened. Fortunately, researchers have also come to similar conclusions.

Mischel himself maintained that willpower in itself doesn't guarantee success. Instead, he suggested it is one skill that can be a powerful resource for achieving goals, and that people can strengthen it at any point in life.

There are several things you can do to improve your self-control.

Work It Like a Muscle

Think of willpower as a muscle. Just like any other muscle, willpower can be built up and strengthened with time and effort. Exercising your willpower may also make it less vulnerable to being depleted.

Baumeister suggests creating simple but challenging tasks that require some effort. For example, using your left hand instead of your right hand to open doors. Or turning the light off every time you leave a room. Engaging in these relatively easy tasks for a couple of weeks will hone your self-control skills.

Training your willpower can work wonders. But remember, don't overdo it.

Get Enough Sleep

Bad sleeping habits ( such as getting too little or too much sleep) wear you out, both physically and mentally. This, in turn, affects your ability to resist temptation.

A review of different studies found that sleep-deprived people are more likely to give in to impulses, have less focus, and make riskier decisions.

Everyone's sleep needs are different. But according to the National Sleep Foundation, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to function at their best.

Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to increase willpower. Research shows that regular mindfulness meditation can improve your focus and self-control, even when you're not meditating.

Meditation is something you can do anywhere, anytime. A five-minute meditation session first thing in the morning or during your lunch break is enough to get you started.

The more you practice resisting your brain’s urge to wander, the easier it will be to resist other temptations in your life as well.

Avoid Temptations

In Mischel's classic marshmallow test, children who distracted themselves were able to resist temptation much longer than those who didn't take their eyes off the plate of treats. Some kids closed their eyes, while others turned away and looked elsewhere. The kids who couldn't take their eyes off the treat, however, were far more likely to give in.

When facing temptation, whether it's the desire to eat, drink, or spend money, try this "out of sight, out of mind" tactic. Or better yet, physically remove the temptation from your environment.

If you can't do that, then temporarily remove yourself from the temptation. You might go for a walk, call a friend, or engage in a hobby until the urge passes.

This strategy can be an effective tactic if you are trying to overcome a behavioral addiction or other problematic behavior like smoking or excessive snacking. Distracting yourself until the craving has passed can help you stay on track and reach your goals.

Willpower can be a powerful tool when it comes to reaching your goals. Whether you are trying to improve your health, build a new habit , or end an unhealthy addiction, building your self-control can help you fight temptation more effectively.

Willpower can become depleted if you are dealing with too much stress or resisting too many other temptations in your life. However, remember that you can strengthen your self-control through practice, self-care, and self-awareness.

Get Advice From The Verywell Mind Podcast

Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares an exercise that can help you introduce a healthy habit into your life or get rid of a bad habit that's been holding you back.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Ainslie G. Willpower with and without effort . Behav Brain Sci . 2020;44:e30. doi:10.1017/S0140525X20000357

American Psychological Association. What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control .

Willems YE, Boesen N, Li J, Finkenauer C, Bartels M. The heritability of self-control: A meta-analysis . Neurosci Biobehav Rev . 2019;100:324-334. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.012

Baumeister RF, Bratslavsky E, Muraven M, Tice DM. Ego depletion: Is the active self a limited resource ? J Pers Soc Psychol . 1998;74(5):1252-1265. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.74.5.1252

Mischel W, Ebbesen EB, Zeiss AR. Cognitive and attentional mechanisms in delay of gratification . J Pers Soc Psychol . 1972;21(2):204-218. doi:10.1037/h0032198

Shoda Y, Mischel W, Peake PK. Predicting adolescent cognitive and self-regulatory competencies from preschool delay of gratification: Identifying diagnostic conditions . Dev Psychol . 1990;26(6):978-986. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.26.6.978

Mirandi M, Lis A, Mazzeschi C, Li JB, Salmi LP, Delvecchio E. Flourishing and self-control in adolescence: The role of perceived parenting . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2023;20(16):6568. doi:10.3390/ijerph20166568

Watts TW, Duncan GJ, Quan H. Revisiting the marshmallow test: A conceptual replication investigating links between early delay of gratification and later outcomes . Psychol Sci . 2018;29(7):1159-1177. doi:10.1177/0956797618761661

Doebel S, Michaelson LE, Munakata Y. Good things come to those who wait: delaying gratification likely does matter for later achievement(A commentary on Watts, Duncan, & Quan, 2018) . Psychol Sci . 2020;31(1):97-99. doi:10.1177/0956797619839045

American Psychological Association. Acting on the marshmallow test .

Baumeister RF, Tierney J. Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength . Penguin Press Willpower; 2011.

Pilcher JJ, Morris DM, Donnelly J, Feigl HB. Interactions between sleep habits and self-control . Front Hum Neurosci . 2015;9:284. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00284

Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al. National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: Methodology and results summary . Sleep Health . 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010

Tang Y-Y, Hölzel BK, Posner MI. The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation . Nat Rev Neurosci . 2015;16(4):213-225. doi:10.1038/nrn3916

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Academic Programs

Tuition & Financial Aid

Student Experience

The critical importance of self-control (and how to grow in it).

Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

“Self-control is often used to describe a favorable character trait in people. The word is used fairly frequently, but what exactly is self-control, and why is it important?”

Here, we’ll share some secrets of self-control and ways to pass on the practice of self-control to your children.

What Is Self-Control?

Self-control is the war between impulsivity and doing what’s right or beneficial. It’s the ability to control emotions, impulses or behaviors to achieve a greater goal.

A common example of this is people attempting to maintain their New Year’s Resolution and lose a few pounds. It can be very difficult to refuse seconds of dinner or dessert afterward, but those practicing self-control know that they are working toward a long-term goal. While the immediate satisfaction would be sweet, the long-term results probably wouldn’t be weight loss.

Why Is Self-Control Important?

This may seem self-explanatory, but it’s helpful to work through this question thoughtfully.

Is self-control really that important, or is it better to enjoy the moment and not concern oneself with future outcomes?

Besides risking the ability to achieve long-term goals, there are other problematic issues with a lack of self-control.

People who lack self-control often give in to impulsive behavior and emotions as well. This means that they may make poor choices that harm themselves or others and react poorly when they don’t get what they want.

Imagine a toddler who wants something but the parent says no. Often, the initial reaction is to behave impulsively. They may throw a tantrum and hit and scream. Toddlers are still learning to regulate their emotions and respond appropriately when things don’t go their way.

The same is true for people of all ages. Self-control is an important skill to develop because these same emotions occur in any person who feels that their needs or desires are not being met. However, a person who lacks self-control may respond in a variety of ways including with anger, physical violence or by turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms .

Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”

A person who lacks self-control may be an unstable person, prone to fits of anger and unethical decisions. There’s more at stake to a lack of self-control than a forgotten New Year’s Resolution—it may mean the difference between a person who is successful in personal relationships and careers, and one who is not.

The Link Between Self-Control and Empathy

Researchers have recently discovered that the same part of the brain that controls empathy also controls self-control . This section of the brain is called the right temporoparietal junction, or rTPJ.

In the study , Alexander Soutscheck temporarily altered the part of the brain long-associated with empathy using a magnetic field. He discovered that a person’s self-control was inhibited when this part of the brain was shut down.

Rebecca Saxe from MIT weighed in by saying, “For a long time, people have speculated that we use the same mechanisms to reason about other people as about our hypothetical selves. So this new study fits really well.”

In other words, a person’s self-control to avoid dessert in the present helps a hypothetical future self lose weight. The effects are not immediate, so a person’s use of self-control now benefits a future version of themselves.

In Soutscheck’s study , when he disrupted the rTPJ part of the brain, his test participants were less likely to behave altruistically. They were given a scenario where they could take a sum of money for themselves or share it with a partner. When the rTPJ part of the brain was disrupted, they were less likely to share. This confirmed the link between rTPJ and empathy.

But interestingly, the same participants were also more likely to take a small sum of money in the immediate as opposed to a larger amount in the future—linking rTPJ to self-control responses as well.

What Are the Secrets of Self-Control?

If self-control is important, what do you do when it doesn’t come naturally? How can you develop this vital skill?

Here are three ways to begin a journey of self-control.

Pray, Meditate, Be Mindful

Prayer and meditation are powerful ways to help you reset your thought processes.

Taking time to pray or meditate during the day is a good way of refocusing your mind and giving yourself a chance to calm down if something is irritating you. Instead of getting worked up about a problem, offer your concern to God in prayer, as Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Or consider using meditation by setting aside some time to close your eyes, breathe deeply and focus on what you can control and how you can move forward.

If you’re trying to stop a bad habit, these can be good options to curb your impulse to do it. You can replace those old habits with prayer or meditation.

Get Enough Sleep

It’s not always easy to catch the z’s that you need, but a lack of sleep has been linked to self-control issues.

In a Harvard Business Review article, author Christopher Barnes discussed the link between a lack of sleep and poor choices.

Building on previous research that showed a lack of sleep may lead to lower self-control, Barnes and his colleagues conducted a study of their own. Their results showed overwhelmingly that those suffering from sleep deprivation exhibited high levels of unethical behavior.

Many adults are living on less sleep than they probably should be getting—some living on less than six hours a night. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation may lead to making poor choices. If you’re suffering from a lack of sleep, try to rearrange your schedule to make sure you’re getting enough snooze time.

Create a Ritual

It may seem unlikely, but participating in a simple ritual may give you the ability to avoid unhealthy impulses.

Scientific American conducted a study that gave participants a simple (and random) ritual to perform to help them achieve weight loss. They chose females from a university gym who were already striving toward weight loss.

Half of the participants were told to be mindful about their food habits. The other half was told to do a three-step ritual before consuming their food which involved cutting their food into pieces before they ate it, rearranging the food so it was symmetrical on their plate and pressing their eating utensil on their food three times before eating.

The study showed that the women who performed the ritual ate fewer calories and also ate less sugar and fats.

How to Teach Children the Art of Self-Control

If you have or work with children, you may be wondering how to teach them self-control. Learning self-control at a young age is a great way of setting them up for success in the future.

Self-control, or self-regulation as it is sometimes referred to, is a skill that can be taught. While some people are born with more natural ability, most often it is a skill that individuals can help develop.

One way of doing this is to help children replace negative responses with positive ones. Dr. Matthew Rouse , a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, explains that to teach children to self-regulate, you should not avoid situations that may be difficult. Instead, you should coach your children through difficult times.

When you coach kids through a frustrating moment, you’re providing a framework that clinicians call “scaffolding,” or showing the child the behavior that you want the child to have. Once that child understands the concepts they can begin to overcome challenges on their own.

One way to work through this process is by doing practice runs. For example, suppose a child throws tantrums when going to the store. Child Mind Institute suggests taking a short trip to the store and helping your child practice things like staying with you or keeping their hands to themselves. You could use a reward system for every time the child behaves.

Even with a short trip, the child may still act out or misbehave. This can be discouraging. However, Dr. Rouse explains that consistency is what’s important. If necessary, make the trip very short and as simple as possible. As the child begins to get better at the activity, they can be given more independence.

Self-Control in the Future

Self-control is linked to many good things including success and the ability to achieve goals. However, it’s important to keep in mind that one mistake in self-control shouldn’t mean that a person should give up. No one is capable of perfectly controlling their impulses or decision making at all times.

This is even more apparent in habits or responses that have become hard-wired into a person. Channeling anger into positive energy or resisting unhealthy habits is not an easy task. Consider it a victory each time you are able to use self-restraint in a situation that you would ordinarily respond in a negative way.

If you make a mistake, see it as an opportunity to learn rather than a reason to quit trying. Self-control is a lifelong journey to continue to work on.

Grow in Influence With a Degree

Use the virtue of self-control to pursue your personal and professional goals by opening the door to new skills and opportunities with a degree from Cornerstone Online. Take that next step along your path to achieving your goals through practical application to make a change in your life now while maintaining your vision for your future.

Learn more about our adult programs

Learn more about our graduate programs

Alicia Wyant

Alicia Wyant (B.S. ’02) is the executive director of WCSG. She also served as the director of donor development with WCSG. Alicia earned her Bachelor of Science in management from Cornerstone Online. Previously, she served Cornerstone as switchboard manager, admissions manager and enrollment counselor at Cornerstone Online.

Introducing the 2023 Staff Hall of Honor Award Winner: Joanna Taylor

Navigating Ministry Staff Transitions

A Balancing Act

Step by Step: Applying for LLPC Licensure

Beginning Again: A New School Year

YO CORTARÉ EL PASTO!

I will mow the lawn.

Getting Your Counseling Practice Off the Ground

Want to learn more about cu, connect with cu.

Student Life
About Cornerstone
University Offices
Faculty & Staff Directory

40+ Benefits of Self-Control and Self-Discipline

There is a multitude of areas in everyday life where so many of us want to do better.

This is particularly evident given the millions of people (including almost half of Americans) who make New Year’s resolutions each year. Such resolutions often involve goals related to diet and fitness, finances, relationships, and the reduction of unhealthy behaviors (i.e., smoking).

Unfortunately, however; an 80 percent failure rate has been estimated for such resolutions (Luciani, 2015). Moreover, general efforts to change behaviors result in relapse over half of the time (Kottler, 2012).

Why are we so consistently disappointed by our failed efforts at self-improvement? For one thing, these objectives are not easy. Fulfilling one’s dreams “ takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort ” (Jesse Owens, brainyquote.com).

This article will look into the research behind self-control and self-discipline (terms to be used interchangeably); including the many benefits thereof and how to attain them. Several interesting research studies will also be described.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Self-Compassion Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will not only help you increase the compassion and kindness you show yourself but will also give you the tools to help your clients, students, or employees show more compassion to themselves.

This Article Contains:

What are the benefits of self-control and self-discipline, most interesting scientific findings, 22 things you can do to realize these benefits, a take-home message.

Let’s begin our inquiry by exploring the evidence supporting the many benefits of self-control to health and socioemotional wellbeing.

1. Weight, Fitness, and Health

It has been said that “ eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control ” (Mahavira, brainyquote.com). Of course, the endless stream of weight loss-related advertising, including gym memberships, weight loss programs, and even weight loss surgery is ample evidence for the enormous business surrounding weight loss. Not to mention the personal weight-related struggles experienced by numerous people.

Losing weight is an all too common goal that is greatly enhanced by self-control. For example, in a 12-week diet and self-discipline exercise program among overweight adults (e.g., a body mass index of at least 25 kg/m2), researchers found higher levels of trait self-control among those who were more successful in achieving program goals.

More specifically, participants with relatively higher self-control ate fewer calories (including less fat), burned more calories, and achieved greater weight loss (Crescioni, Ehrlinger, & Alquist et al., 2011).

Several additional studies investigating self-control (also referred to as ‘ self-regulation ’) and weight loss have included youth participants, often with a particular interest in how early self-control might protect against and subsequent weight gain during adolescence.

This topic was researched in a large-scale longitudinal study, including ten U.S. sites (Francis, & Susman, 2009). Participants included 1061 children from age 3 to 12 years. Self-control and body mass index (BMI) were assessed at baseline, as well as at multiple time-points covering a total of 9 years.

Interestingly, children with lower self-regulatory skills had higher BMI’s and more weight gain at each time-point. In other words, self-control had a significant impact on weight gain from childhood through early adolescence.

In a similar study by Duckworth, Tsukayama, and Geier (2010); self-control was assessed among fifth graders who were followed until eighth grade. This study found that fifth graders who were higher in self-control evidenced significantly decreased BMI’s over the following three years.

Finally, weight gain during the transition from childhood to adolescence was examined in another longitudinal study among 844 children (Tsukayama, Toomey, & Faith et al., 2010). This study, which included both parent and teacher ratings of self-control, indicated that those who were higher in self-control were less likely to be overweight at age 15.

The authors noted that the ability to control impulses and delay gratification represented significant factors affecting the avoidance of weight gain during adolescence. The combination of these studies provides compelling evidence for the power of self-control early in life to predict healthy weight over time— including during early and middle adolescence.

Along with weight, a more general measure of physical fitness has been examined concerning self-control. Specifically, in a cross-sectional (non-longitudinal) study including young male participants, various fitness-related outcomes were assessed including BMI, muscle fitness, aerobic fitness, and leisure time physical activity (Kinnunen, Suihko, & Hankonen et al., 2012).

Findings indicated that self-control was associated with lower BMI and higher levels of muscular and aerobic fitness. Interestingly, fitness indicators remained significantly related to self-control, even regardless of participants’ BMI measures.

Medical conditions in adulthood have also been linked to measures of self-control during adolescence. For example, in a compelling study by Miller, Barnes, and Beaver (2011), 9 out of 10 physical and brain-based health issues were significantly less likely among adults who were rated as higher in self-control during adolescence.

More specifically, lower self-control was predictive of a higher odds of experiencing depression, ADHD, other mental illnesses, poor hearing, stuttering speech patterns, asthma, cancer, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. These findings represent a powerful example of the benefits of self-control.

2. Academic and Career Success

Fred Rogers (e.g., ‘Mr. Rogers’) referred to discipline “ as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline ” (brainyquote.com). He had a point.

Along with health-related outcomes, self-discipline also plays an important role when it comes to children’s education. For example, a longitudinal study, including 164 eight graders, found that self-discipline assessed in the fall was related to a variety of important educational outcomes measured in the spring (Duckworth, & Seligman, 2005).

This study indicated that self-control had a significant positive impact on grades, attendance, and time spent doing homework. Being higher in self-control was also related to fewer hours spent watching television.

The importance of self-discipline reported in this study was maintained after statistically adjusting for IQ and achievement test scores. This research lends support to parents who have consistently—and perhaps frustratingly— tried to impress upon their adolescents the importance of being disciplined when it comes to homework, screen time, and general study habits.

With rapid increases in technology related to office automation, large numbers of people are working from home. While telecommuting has several advantages for employees, such as increased flexibility; it also has its challenges.

Primarily, when employees work in a potentially distracting environment without in-person supervision, productivity may be negatively impacted. Indeed, employees require a certain degree of self-discipline and motivation to succeed in their jobs (Olson, 1983).

To address predictors of occupational success; Converse, Pathak, and DePaul et al. (2012) took a comprehensive look at self-control. The researchers conducted two studies, with the first one examining self-control among 249 full-time employees. In this study, self-control was related to higher salary and occupational prestige.

The second study consisted of an impressive longitudinal design and 1,568 participants whose self-control was assessed during childhood. After 20 years, those who were rated higher in restraint achieved greater career and occupational success (i.e., job satisfaction, salary, and prestige).

It was also reported that self-control benefited educational achievement; which, in turn, predicted higher wages and occupational prestige (Converse et al., 2012). These findings are particularly relevant for employers, given their implications regarding which employees will be most successful. And they are undoubtedly salient to telecommuters.

3. Risky and Problem Behaviors

Behavioral theories seeking to explain deviant, unhealthy, and risky behaviors often address the role of self-control. For example, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) self-control theory posits that inclinations toward criminal actions occur as a function of an individual’s ability to control his/her tendency to engage in such behaviors.

Those people who are higher in self-control are predicted to be better able to postpone immediate gratification in favor of long-term rewards. More specifically, “long-term consequences influence the actions of a person with ample self-control, whereas the elements of criminal behavior reflect easy and immediate gratification of universal, fundamental, human desires.

A person with adequate self-control is less likely to attend to, or invest in, these features of a situation than is how or her less-controlled counterpart” (Gibbs, Giever, & Martin, 1998, pgs. 41-42).

This theory was tested using a large sample (N = 1000) of American college students (Ford, & Blumenstein, 2012). Researchers found a higher risk of binge drinking, cannabis use, and prescription drug misuse among participants who were lower in self-control.

A review of risky behavior would be remiss if not addressing the period of adolescence. Adolescence is marked by substantial increases in dangerous behaviors such as fast driving, substance use, and risky sexual behavior— among others.

While it is not uncommon for youth to misjudge the risks involved in their actions (i.e., adolescent drivers tend to overestimate their driving skills), there are other factors at play when it comes to significant increases in preventable forms of death that occur during this period. One such factor is self-control; as holding-off on temptations can be particularly challenging among young people.

Consequently, several studies have investigated the various constructs (i.e., self-control) that predict dangerous behavior among adolescents. For example, self-control theory has been investigated concerning youth sexual behavior because of its potential for undesirable and unhealthy outcomes (i.e., unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease).

For example, Hope and Chapple (2004) examined data from a longitudinal study consisting of 709 participants who were between 15 and 17 years of age at the final assessment. A sub-sample of this group was also created, consisting of participants who had initiated sexual behavior (n = 223).

Researchers found that lower self-control significantly predicted having initiated sex, increased numbers of sexual partners, and a more casual (versus committed) relationship with sexual partners.

Research has similarly indicated that the lack of self-control is related to more impulsive or under-controlled sexual behavior, as well as the inability to resist engaging in sexual conduct with an individual who is not the primary sexual partner (Gailliot, & Baumeister, 2007).

Similarly, Wills and Stoolmiller (2002) followed a sample of 1,526 6th graders through 9th grade. A composite substance use score incorporating cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use were created. Researchers found that increases in substance use over time were higher for those who were lower in self-control.

Finally, in a study examining criminal behavior and substance use among adolescent males already involved in the criminal justice system, a global scale of low self-control incorporating multiple subcategories was included as the predictor. Results indicated that the self-control sub-factors of risk-seeking and volatile temper were significant predictors of drug use, and both property and violent crimes (Connor, Stein, & Longshore, 2009).

4. Various Additional Outcomes Related to Self-control

Research addressing the benefits of self-control also has taken a look at broader spectrum outcomes. For example, in a study by Tangney, Baumeister, and Boone (2004); two extensive investigations were conducted using a new measure of self-control among college students.

Findings indicated that higher self-control was related to better relationships and interpersonal skills, higher grade point average, less binge eating, more secure attachments, and better adjustment as defined by less psychopathology and higher self-esteem (Tangney et al., 2004).

An additional study suggesting that self-control is related to a range of outcomes was conducted by de Ridder, Lensvelt-Mulders, and Finkenauer (2012). In their meta-analysis of 202 self-control studies, the investigators found positive relationships between higher self-control and the following outcomes: Happiness, good grades, committed relationships, and love.

Lower self-control was related to the following non-adaptive outcomes: Binge eating, alcohol use, occasional speeding, and lifetime delinquency. The authors further noted that the effect of self-control was about the same regardless of whether it was being examined as a risk or protective factor (de Ridder et al., 2012).

These findings are consistent with other research supporting a significant association between self-control and both happiness and general wellbeing (Hofmann, Luhmann, & Fisher et al., 2014). Overall, these studies provide convincing evidence for the impact of self-control across a range of critical psychosocial outcomes.

The secret to self control – Jonathan Bricker

In addition to the evidence explored above, we reflect on interesting findings that have come from research.

1. Processes, Measurement, and Moderators

Hofmann et al. (2014) conducted three studies aimed at explaining relationships between self-control and life satisfaction. Using adult participants in each study, a measure of relatively stable, trait self-control was examined in relation to life satisfaction ratings.

The authors reported evidence for a significant relationship between self-control and both positive emotions and life satisfaction. Perhaps more interestingly, high self-control, and positive outcomes were moderated by the ability to manage conflict.

More specifically, those with higher self-control also were able to act in a way that reduced conflict and distress. Moreover, individuals with high self-control were also better able to avoid temptations and thereby avoid ‘vice-virtue’ temptations (Hofmann et al., 2014).

This research suggests that there is more involved in how self-control affects outcomes, with conflict avoidance representing a key mechanism.

In the previously noted meta-analysis by de Ridder et al. (2012), additional interesting information about factors affecting the link between self-control and desired outcomes were also presented. Namely, the authors reported a stronger association between self-control and automatic behaviors versus more consciously control behaviors.

Automatic behaviors are those that are more habitual (i.e., writing pages in a novel each day as part of a routine); as opposed more controlled behaviors that require adjustments (i.e., trying to manage multiple competing resources to make time to work on a novel).

The authors suggest that self-control is not as related to resisting temptations as is often thought, but may instead be more about forming and breaking habits. Associations between self-control and outcomes have also been found to differ when it comes to real versus imagined behaviors.

Unlike actual behaviors, imagined behaviors consist of those “ that one intends to do, thinks one can do, or thinks one should do ” (de Ridder et al., 2012, p. 80). Imagined behaviors are more akin to wishful thinking (i.e., “I’m going to sail the world next year!”).

In a study by de Ridder and colleagues (2012), behaviors and self-control were more strongly associated with imagined versus real behaviors. The authors suggest self-control measures and constructs may be convoluted by the types of behaviors included, and how they are defined and measured.

Along with the need to unpack the nature of specific behaviors (i.e., real versus imagined; automatic versus control), the researchers also suggest that self-control is overestimated when only self-reports of behaviors are included.

In a research article by Duckworth and Gross (2014), self-control was examined in relation to grit. The authors define grit as “the tenacious pursuit of a dominant superordinate goal despite setbacks” (Duckworth, & Gross, 2014, p. 319).

Grit is thus more consistent with strength of character or perseverance in the face of adversity. The authors note that, while self-control and grit are indeed correlated; they represent distinct constructs that should not be used interchangeably. In other words, a person may have one, but not the other.

A person who is high in grit is described as someone who works persistently toward achieving a primary goal, perhaps even for years. He/she may be a highly productive person who can suppress conflicting lower order goals; as well as to deal with setbacks by creating alternative lower order goals and continuing to work tenaciously toward the primary goal (Duckworth, & Gross, 2014).

Consistent with this example, grit involves exceptional achievements that often cover a lengthy period to complete; whereas, self-control involves making decisions on more of a day-to-day basis (Duckworth, & Gross, 2014). Overall, this research and the proposed models provide important directions for future research addressing these concepts, as well as important treatment implications.

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

Treatment and Intervention

Intervention strategies that include self-discipline components have found some promising results, including within educational settings. For example, Cincinnati implemented a district-wide program aimed at helping instructors to teach self-discipline to K-12th-grade students (Brown, & Beckett, 2006).

Teachers were supported with tools needed to deal with disciplinary issues without removing students from the class. While there were multiple components to this large-scale intervention, promoting student self-discipline was an essential factor in achieving desired outcomes.

Impressively, the program resulted in reductions in both suspensions and expulsions within the Cincinnati school district (Brown, & Beckett, 2006).

Lastly, in a paper by Mofﬁtt, Arseneault, and Belsky et al. (2011), the implementation of large-scale self-control programs are discussed. The authors propose that such programs could have significant societal benefits by improving health, wealth, and public safety.

Longitudinal, prospective studies that assessed self-control in children and followed them over time are presented. It is proposed that the multitude of positive outcomes predicted by increased self-control imply that large-scale self-control programs have the potential to realize important societal outcomes related to taxpayer costs and overall prosperity among citizens (Moffitt et al., 2011).

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you to help others create a kinder and more nurturing relationship with themselves.

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Tools Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

Happiness is dependent on self-discipline. We are the biggest obstacles to our happiness. It is much easier to do battle with society and with others than to fight our own nature.

Dennis Prager

While becoming more self-disciplined isn’t easy— as it often goes against our immediate desires and impulses, it is attainable.

Here are several ways to become more self-disciplined:

Be informed: Don’t jump into the idea of achieving an important goal without doing your research. While you may be excited and eager to get started; by understanding what it takes to be successful and the steps needed to get there, your objective will be much more obtainable.
Avoid labeling yourself: We all have that voice in the back of our head that repeats all sorts of nonconstructive information. If your voice is telling you things like “ That’s just not ‘you; ’” or “ you’re just not the type to succeed at that goal ” – it is essential that you learn and practice a more positive story about yourself.
Don’t put your life on hold: Sure, it’s better to attend that big reunion, wedding, or other meaningful events when you are looking your best. But don’t make living life contingent upon fulfilling all of your goals. Keep striving toward achieving them, but enjoy your life in the meantime.
Consider the timing: Be conscious of the timing in which you want to exercise more self-control. If certain times of year are more challenging (i.e., for many, the holidays are not the best time to initiate health and fitness plans), focus on a more reasonable period.
Don’t beat yourself up for perceived failures and setbacks: As you are on your journey toward better control, there will be occasional setbacks. Do not conceive of them as failures that define your entire attempts at self-improvement. All of your hard work thus far is not defined by one set-back today. Forgive yourself and get back in the program.
Identify your short- and long-term goals— and be specific: Simply stating “ I’m going to be more disciplined in how I deal with my finances ,” or “ I’m going to become more fit ,” won’t cut it. You need to write out the specific goals along the way, and to display such goals in a place where you will see them each day— like on a big piece of paper in on your kitchen wall.
Choose goals that are right for you; don’t succumb to others’ expectations: How you achieve self-control benefits is dependent upon your personal goals, abilities, and motivation. Pick objectives that are meaningful to you.
Aim for realistic goals: A sure way to fail at achieving self-control objectives is by choosing unattainable goals. If you’ve never run before, a marathon probably is not in your near future. Realistic goals are essential to success.
Don’t overdo it: As you are enthusiastically plunging forward with your new self-control program, if you notice that it’s wearing you down or impeding other areas of your life, you may be overdoing it. It is important to check-in with yourself regularly to make sure all is on track.
Self-monitor your progress: Self-monitoring means keeping a consistent record of your progress. Psychologists often include self-monitoring as part of intervention programs, not only as a way to collect data; but also because it is related to improved compliance with program objectives. How you monitor your progress is up to you (i.e., could be on your phone, your computer, or a piece of paper), the important thing is that you do it.
Share your plan with a friend: By sharing your new self-control objectives with others, you will be more likely to stick with them.
Seek help as needed: If your plan is proving exceedingly tricky because something is blocking or sabotaging your progress, it may be time to ask for help from a friend or professional.
Be optimistic; picture your end goal: It seems obvious, but by always imagining yourself in a positive light and having an upbeat attitude, you will be more likely to succeed.
Take breaks: Sometimes, a new self-discipline approach can become overwhelming and will cause the person to feel deprived. By giving yourself reasonable breaks (i.e., a person trying to lose weight may allow one day a week in which the demands are less stringent), you will be less likely to give up altogether.
Practice self-care: While you may be doing great toward achieving your goals, remember to take care of yourself in other areas, so that you remain well-rounded and healthy.
Don’t create new problems: Becoming more disciplined should not involve unreasonably expensive programs, foods, practitioners, classes, etc. For example, individuals attempting to achieve New Year’s resolutions may eat all sorts of unhealthy foods during the holidays, only to be followed by overly expensive healthy foods after the new year (Pope, Hanks, & Just et al., 2014).
Reward yourself: Don’t forget to reward yourself along the way. Small, but meaningful, rewards help maintain motivation.
Identify positive role models: As you venture toward your objective, be aware of individuals who either inspire or sabotage your efforts by their behaviors. Stick with the first group.
Avoid distractions and temptations: Along with timing, efforts at self-control are enhanced when you are not subjected to conditions that interfere with your progress (i.e., a kitchen full of junk food will not help someone working toward healthy eating).
Adjust goals, but only as necessary: If you are finding that your original goals were either too hard to be realistically met or not challenging enough, it’s okay to adjust them.
Share your successes: As you find yourself doing well with your plan, share your progress with others who will be proud of you. This will enhance your self-esteem and continued motivation.
Be IN for the long-haul: Remember, becoming more self-disciplined may be a new mindset for you; and mindsets can be difficult to change. Changing our behaviors and expectations is always challenging, and rewards take time to realize. But if you stick with it, while also framing your goals as lifestyle (as opposed to temporary) changes, you will be more likely to see results.

You must adopt the sort of lifestyle changes you can maintain for as long as you live. The same is true with any change you are prepared to initiate. This isn’t a sprint but a marathon.

Kottler, J. (2012, p. 15).

17 Exercises To Foster Self-Acceptance and Compassion

Help your clients develop a kinder, more accepting relationship with themselves using these 17 Self-Compassion Exercises [PDF] that promote self-care and self-compassion.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

While becoming more self-disciplined is not easy, it is manageable. After all, “ emotional self-control is the result of hard work, not an inherent skill ” (Travis Bradberry). This idea leads to some important takeaways:

Research indicates that improving self-control is 100% worth it. There are a myriad of benefits of self-control that cover multiple domains of functioning (i.e., fitness, diet, risky behaviors, school and career success, happiness, etc.). Moreover, the benefits of self-control are evident among all age-groups.
You do have control over your self-control— you were not born lacking in it, and thus you can change it.
Along with intervention research indicating that self-control programs have shown effectiveness, there are many specific ways in which you can improve your efforts at achieving more self-control (i.e., realistic goals, appropriate timing, regular self-monitoring, and meaningful rewards— among many others).
From a research standpoint, self-control is not exactly straightforward. Researchers need to investigate both further how self-control is measured and researched; while also addressing important moderators that affect its relationship to outcomes. In doing so, readers will better understand what is meant by ‘self-control’ and what can be done to increase it and reap the benefits.

Consumers have access to a vast amount of useful information when it comes to increasing self-control and realizing aspirations. If you, like so many of us, have a specific self-improvement goal in mind or would like to be more disciplined in general, you can do it. Once you gather as much information as possible and devise your strategy; be excited and positive about the future— for you are on your way toward a more disciplined and fulfilled life.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Self Compassion Exercises for free .

Brown, L. & Beckett, K. (2006). The role of the school district in student discipline: Building consensus in Cincinnati. The Urban Review, 38 , 235-256.
Connor B., Stein J., & Longshore D. (2009). Examining self-control as a multidimensional predictor of crime and drug use in adolescents with criminal histories. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 36 (2), 137-149.
Converse, P., Pathak, J., DePaul-Haddock, A., Gotlib, T., & Merbedone, M. (2012). Controlling your environment and yourself: Implications for career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80 (1), 148-159.
Crescioni, A., Ehrlinger, J., Alquist, J., Conlon, K., Baumeister, R., Schatschneider, C., & Dutton, G. (2011). High trait self-control predicts positive health behaviors and success in weight loss. Journal of Health Psychology, 16 (5), 750-759.
de Ridder, D., Lensvelt-Mulders, G., Finkenauer, C., Stok, F., & Baumeister, R. (2012). Taking stock of self-control: A meta-analysis of how trait self-control relates to a wide range of behaviors. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16 (1), 76-99.
Dennis Prager. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=self-control
Duckworth, A., & Gross, J. (2014). Self-control and grit: Related but separable determinants of success. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23 (5), 319-325.
Duckworth, A., & Seligman, M. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16 (12), 939-944.
Duckworth, A., Tsukayama, E., & Geier, A. (2010). Self-controlled children stay leaner in the transition to adolescence. Appetite, 54 (2), 304-308.
Ford, J., & Blumenstein, L. (2012). Self-control and substance use among college students. Journal of Drug Issues, 43 (1), 56-68.
Francis L., & Susman E. (2009). Self-regulation and rapid weight gain in children from age 3 to 12 years. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 163 (4), 297-302.
Fred Rogers. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=self-control
Gailliot, M., & Baumeister, R. (2007). Self-regulation and sexual restraint: Dispositionally and temporarily poor self-regulatory abilities contribute to failures at restraining sexual behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33 (2), 173-186.
Gibbs, J., Giever, D., & Martin, J. (1998). Parental management and self-control: An empirical test of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 35 (1), 40-70.
Gottfredson, M. & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Grasmick, H., Tittle, C., Bursik, R., & Arneklev, B. (1993). Testing the core empirical implications of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 30 , 5-29.
Hofmann, W., Luhmann, M., Fisher, R., Vohs, K. & Baumeister, R. (2014). Trait self‐control and well‐being. Journal of Personality, 82 , 265-277.
Hope, T., & Chapple, C. (2004). Maternal characteristics, parenting, and adolescent sexual behavior: The role of self-control. Deviant Behavior, 26 (1), 25-45.
Jesse Owens. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=self-control
Kinnunen, M., Suihko, J., Hankonen, N., Absetz, P., & Jallinoja, P. (2012). Self-Control is associated with physical activity and fitness among young males. Behavioral Medicine, 38 (3), 83-89.
Kottler, J. (2012). Making changes last. New York, NY: Routledge.
Luciani, J. (2015). Why 80 Percent of New Year’s Resolutions Fail. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/joseph-luciani
Mahavira. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=self-control
Miller, H., Barnes, J., & Beaver, K. (2011). Self-control and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample. American Journal of Health Behavior, 35 (1), 15-27.
Mofﬁtt, T., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D., Dickson, N., Hancox, R., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Roberts, B., Ross, S., Sears, M., Thompson, W., & Caspi, A. (2011). A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 , 26932698.
Olson, M. (1983). Remote office work: Changing work patterns in space and time. Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery, 26 (3), 182-187.
Pope, L., Hanks, A., Just, D., & Wansink, B. (2014). New Year’s res-illusions: Food shopping in the new year competes with healthy intentions. PLoS ONE, 9 (12), e110561.
Tangney, J., Baumeister, R., & Boone, A. (2004) High self‐control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. Journal of Personality, 72 , 271-324.
Tsukayama E., Toomey S., Faith M., & Duckworth A. (2010). Self-control as a protective factor against overweight status in the transition from childhood to adolescence. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164 (7), 631-635.
Wills, T., & Stoolmiller, M. (2002). The role of self-control in early escalation of substance use: A time-varying analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70 (4), 986-997.

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

Thanks, article is really informative. content is also rich and comprehensive it helps alot for beginer learner.

Nice research, it is quite useful and resourceful to me. Fine woman.

I work with children, the article is useful to me. Thank you

fab resources, love it currently working on self-discipline, brain power, resilience, values, strengths, compassion infact all the areas in the contents bar, thankyou!

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Urge Surfing: How Riding the Wave Breaks Bad Habits

We all experience cravings, sometimes daily. For some, it might be chocolate, caffeine, or social connection, while for others, it can be more serious, including [...]

Reparenting: Seeking Healing for Your Inner Child

In our work as therapists, we often encounter the undeniable truth: we never truly outgrow our inner child. A youthful part within us persists, sometimes [...]

30 Best Self-Exploration Questions, Journal Prompts, & Tools

Life is constantly in flux – our environment and ‘self’ change continually. Self-exploration helps us make sense of who we are, where we are, and [...]

Self-Control

9 ways to practice self-control and improve your life, maintain balance by establishing a personal set of rules you can live by..

Posted May 9, 2019 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

What Is Self-Control?
Take our Anger Management Test
Find a therapist to help with self-control

Physical and emotional wellness and balanced living—not depriving yourself of the things you want but, at the same time, not overindulging—are goals most people strive for but sometimes have difficulty achieving. Self-control is a bit like willpower but more about establishing long-term patterns of choice and behavior, rather than exercising in-the-moment restraint.

Self-control is not about self-deprivation, and it’s certainly not about punishment . But it is often about redefining what is pleasurable to you in order to keep destructive behaviors in check. It is about taking power over your own actions and learning to ignore immediate impulses, no matter how powerful they may be. When you exercise self-control, especially in a difficult situation, you send a message to the world and, more importantly, to yourself, that you care enough to take responsibility for yourself.

There are many ways you can help yourself by exercising self-control, and the more you practice these behaviors, the sooner you’ll find them turning into new and healthier habits that may become permanent lifestyle changes. Some examples include:

Mending personal relationships. Self-control means changing habits that have only served to hurt you and the people who care about you. By looking deeply into yourself, taking responsibility for yourself, and taking steps to improve destructive aspects of your lifestyle, you may be able to resolve many of the past problems you’ve had with family and friends.
Forgiving mistakes. That includes forgiving others and forgiving yourself in order to release the hold that negativity has on you. The better you get at forgiving, the less you will give in to feelings of anger , bitterness, and shame , and the less often you will lose control and act on these emotions.
Putting an end to negative self-talk . Negative self-talk includes anything you say to yourself that chips away at your self-esteem and makes you feel bad about yourself. It may be, “I’m so fat,” “I’m such a loser,” or, “I have no self-control.” What you’re doing is forming a negative opinion of yourself, lowering your own self-esteem and telling yourself you don’t deserve anything better than what you have in your life. The best way to stop a habit of negative self-talk is to be mindful so as to catch yourself in the act and then immediately substitute positive thoughts for negative. For instance, when you find yourself saying something like, “This is never going to work,” substitute sit for, “I will take small steps, one at a time until I get this right.”
Journaling. Whether you are trying to eat better, exercise more, stop drinking alcohol , forego gambling, recover from substance abuse , or simply feel like a better person, writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you sort them out, retrace steps, and better understand what drives both your thinking and your behavior.
Setting personal boundaries . Your boundaries reflect the physical and emotional limits that set you apart from other people. They are like invisible lines of responsibility for your own feelings and behavior and those of others. Setting boundaries establishes how you will allow other people to treat you. It’s a way of reminding yourself and the world that you deserve civility and respect. You set boundaries for yourself when you take time away from others to read, meditate, take a yoga class, or simply sit quietly and alone. You set boundaries for yourself when, for instance, you avoid bringing home unhealthy foods or driving past a liquor store. You also set boundaries for yourself by recognizing the needs of others to live their lives in the manner they choose.
Letting go of emotional dependencies. Take control and take responsibility for what you feel and how you respond in emotional situations. That means not letting other people, or any external circumstances, control your happiness and well-being. Letting go of those dependencies means you don’t need other people to be happy and you don’t need to be a people-pleaser or submit to other people’s whims in order to hold on to a relationship or avoid rejection. It says you’re in control and feeling secure in yourself and your future.
Eating a balanced diet. It’s only recently that well-balanced and nutritious meals have been linked to better mental health as well as better physical health. If you’re not sure what a healthy, balanced diet looks like, do some research on a Mediterranean-style diet which, year after year, is voted one of the healthiest diets by medical and nutrition experts alike.
Reducing stress. The way stress affects you depending on how you react to it. If you react negatively, such as with anger or indulging in overeating or substance abuse, stress will take a toll on your mental and physical health. Self-control means developing good coping skills so that you can handle stress in new and healthier ways. That can mean practicing flexibility so that you can adjust plans when things don’t go as you hoped; facing fears, especially fear of failure or fear of success; leaving room in your schedule for unexpected events, and having an advance plan for handling stressful situations that are out of your control and are likely to come up again and again.
Finding ways to stay motivated. You might be tempted to say, “Why bother?” about many situations that require self-control. In that case, think about the things that matter most to you. That’s why you bother! If you need help staying motivated to make changes, reach out. Whether it’s a friend or a professional counselor, a good coach can help you stay motivated by keeping you focused on your goals.

Susan McQuillan is a food, health, and lifestyle writer.

Find a Therapist
Find a Treatment Center
Find a Psychiatrist
Find a Support Group
Find Online Therapy
United States
Brooklyn, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC
Asperger's
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Passive Aggression
Personality
Goal Setting
Positive Psychology
Stopping Smoking
Low Sexual Desire
Relationships
Child Development
Self Tests NEW
Therapy Center
Diagnosis Dictionary
Types of Therapy

It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

Emotional Intelligence
Gaslighting
Affective Forecasting
Neuroscience

Essay on Self Discipline for Students and Children

500+ words essay on self discipline.

Self-discipline means self-control, which gives you inner strength and a way to control yourself, actions, and reactions. It is one of the most important and useful skills to achieve success and everyone should possess this quality. Self-discipline comes naturally to some people. And some people can achieve it with some effort. The effort made is worth it as it changes life for the better. It just means exercising self- control. A person who stays in control has the ability to take charge of his/her actions and reactions.

Tips to Achieve Self-discipline

Set your goals: – The first step towards leading a disciplined life is to set goals. Goals give you a clear idea about what needs to be achieved. One must always set a timeline for your goals. This serves as a driving force and motivates you to work hard. It is a good idea to set both short term and long term goals and create a well thought out plan to achieve them.
Do meditation:- Meditation is one of the best ways to channel our energy in the right direction. It helps maintain focus, acquaints us with our inner self and furthers better self- control. It is the stepping stone for a disciplined life. Meditating for half an hour every day can help in inculcating self-discipline.
Set a Routine:- Those who set a routine and follow it daily lead a more disciplined life. It is suggested to list all the tasks that you require accomplishing in a given day. Write them in the order of their priority, set a timeline for each and act accordingly. This is a good way to lead an organized and disciplined life.
Stay away from distractions :- In this technology-driven world, there are numerous things that can distract us and take charge of our lives. Our mobile phones, television, and chatting apps are some of the new age things that are a big hindrance in practicing self-discipline. No matter how determined we are to study, work or sleep on time, we tend to get distracted at the beep of our phone. Social media platforms, chatting apps and web series are extremely addictive and hamper work. In order to practice self-discipline, it is important to stay away from these distractions. Put your phone on silent or keep it at a distance when you sit to study or work. Similarly, just put your phone away at bedtime and instead pick a book to read.
Reward yourself :- Reward yourself for every goal you achieve. This will motivate you to work harder to achieve more. This is a good way to trick your brain to inculcate self-discipline.
Take proper sleep :- You can inculcate self-discipline only when you are well-rested. So, it is essential to sleep for eight hours each night. Maintaining a good sleep cycle is also essential. This means that you should try sleeping and waking up at the same time each day. A power nap during the afternoon can help further.
Stay Positive : – Many people want to inculcate self-discipline but are unable to because they somehow believe that it is difficult to achieve. They feel that it is too much to ask for and that they shall not be able to practice it. This is the wrong approach. You can achieve anything in life if you stay positive and believe in yourself. So, you should stay positive. It is a pre-requisite for inculcating self-discipline.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Self Discipline Benefits and Importance

Self-discipline helps you to overcome the bad habits by meditating regularly. It gives you the ability not to give up after failure and setbacks, develop self-control, provide the ability to resist distractions, helps you to motivate yourself until you accomplish your goals.

Achieving self-discipline may be difficult but in order to lead a healthy personal and professional life, it is very important. A self-disciplined person makes optimum use of the time. Hence, he can achieve more and do more work as compared to a person who is not self-disciplined. We should, therefore, make some efforts to achieve it.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Download the App

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

Essay Database >
Essays Samples >
Essay Types >
College Essay Example

Self-control College Essays Samples For Students

88 samples of this type

Do you feel the need to examine some previously written College Essays on Self-control before you begin writing an own piece? In this free collection of Self-control College Essay examples, you are granted a thrilling opportunity to discover meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Exploiting them while composing your own Self-control College Essay will surely allow you to finalize the piece faster.

Presenting superb samples isn't the only way our free essays service can help students in their writing ventures – our experts can also create from point zero a fully customized College Essay on Self-control that would make a solid basis for your own academic work.

Example Of Self Control Essay

Studies: free sample essay to follow, nathan dewall, the four habits of self-control: essay you might want to emulate, strength based leadership.

Don't waste your time searching for a sample.

Get your essay done by professional writers!

Just from $10/page

What Causes Crime? Theories Behind Acts Of Criminality: Example Essay By An Expert Writer To Follow

Can children in early stages experience delayed gratification essay, good essay about controlling children, good juvenile prostitution: victims or offenders essay example, introduction, characters who practiced self control in pride and prejudice by jane austen essays examples, juvenile delinquency examined: essay you might want to emulate.

In Gridiron Gang, the character of Willie Weathery had many factors that could explain why he became delinquent. Family disruption, peers, gang membership, peer pressure, strain, community disorganization, social learning, low self-control and labeling are all theories and causes used to explain delinquent behavior and are all reasons why Willie Weathery engage in the delinquent act that landed him in juvenile detention. There is no single cause of delinquency. Many factors that combine to motivate a juvenile to engage in delinquent behavior.

FAMILY DISRUPTION

A-level essay on denise cheng for free use, summary of thinking, fast, and slow by daniel kahneman, good example of essay on word limit (content, 1500 words; abstract, 155 words), impulsivity tests, the moral foundations & personal values exercise, part 1 essay sample, good essay on criminology theory and computer hacking, introduction:, good example of essay on what is a self control theory.

Thesis: How self control theory can be used for determining the participation in the hacking culture and what are the effects of hacking. How self control theory can be used to overcome it.

Free Essay On Marketing Questions

[Corse Name]

Good Essay About Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Along The Southern Border

Criminal justice program proposal ii essays examples, essay on how families affect infants and young children development, the parties essay sample.

Two parties were involved in the case; these were the state represented by the office of the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions otherwise referred to as Regina and the accused, named Patricia Mary Butler. Hence the case named R v Butler (2012) NSWSC 1227.

The court and the judge

The case was heard at the Supreme Court, New South Wales. The case was brought and decided by Justice Button J, a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.

The accused

A-level essay on ethical profile for free use, ethical autobiography, wooden on leadership essay template for faster writing, the purposes of practicing brahmacharya essays example, pid essay samples, sample essay on general theory of crime, free essay on social process theory states, the power to see ourselves essay example, essay on gandhi and wollstonecraft questions, the lutheran faith: my beliefs and influences essay example, example of self assessment choice theory essay, my goal is to control my anger., the focused leader essay example, good example of aristotle’s virtue ethics essay, free knowledge is the vital element of innovation essay example.

A knowledgeable person is more innovative in the given field due to the fact that knowledge is the vital element of innovation. The knowledgeable person drives the ideas, technologies and expertise and achieves a competitive edge through his diverse capabilities. It can, thus, be said that a knowledgeable person is more innovative in any given field as compared to the inexperienced person.

Good Management Questions Essay Example

Essay on sociology of deviance.

In crude terms, deviance is any behavior that is against social norms, and is generally of adequate severity to attract disapproval from the society. Such behavior can be either criminal or non-criminal. From a sociological perspective, deviant criminal behavior is a separate area of study called criminology. Examples of criminal deviance would include sexual abuse, organized crime, terrorism, etc. Examples of non-criminal deviance may include mental disorder, homosexuality (though this being non-criminal depends on the group considered), etc. The aim of this paper is to consider the deviant behavior of young offenders and analyze the same from a sociological perspective.

Sample Essay On The Perfect Storm

The month of ramadan in islam essays example, behavior theory essay examples.

Also known as behaviorism, states that learning among human beings is based upon the idea that all behaviors are based upon the conditions availed. This means that if one is conditioned to know that something is bad he/she will avoid it if he/she is conditioned that something is good his/her behavior will reflect that (Schmalleger, 222). This theory which was postulated by the likes of John Watson and B.F Skinner can be used in criminology to identify why criminals act in a certain way. With this theory, one can conclude that one environment affects the choice of being a criminal.

Self-Control Theory

Gender and crime essay samples, an analysis of consumer misbehavior in marketing strategy essay, good essay about criminology, how does the process of social interaction contribute to criminal behavior, the zen leader essay, sample essay on day 1 – 1/6/17, expertly written essay on early childhood to follow, causes of juvenile gang crime and masculinity theories essays example.

CONTENTS 1. Introduction 3 2. The Causes of Juvenile Crime and Masculinity Theories 4 2.1. Connell’s Hegemonic Masculinity Theory 4 2.2. Youth Gangs in the USA and Masculine Gang Formation 5 2.3. The Causes of Juvenile Gang Crime 6 3. Discussion and conclusions 8

References 9

Negotiation theory and practice essay samples, the paris peace talk negotiations, the millionaire mind book report essay example, learning from chapter1 - most surprising discovery about “millionaires”, good ethics essay example, utilitarianism and kantianism, fasting for a month: a way to discipline the mind for a healthier body essay, good essay on buddhism as a development and a challenge to vedic philosophy, max weber and the historical impact of calvinism essays example, negative effects of credit cards use essay example, good essay on challenges in the creation of healthy & sustainable education systems for the first-nation, communities of canada, impressive power and influence of leaders on followers essay example, substance abuse essay samples, ethical lens inventory essays example, religion studies: response paper essay samples, example of performance review essay, sample essay on all about insert your name, gender stereotypes essay sample.

For centuries, humankind has been forming stereotypes about men and women, which are still in operation, regardless of time and quality differences of personality of men and women. Gender stereotypes are beliefs that have developed in the socio-cultural environment about how men and women behave. Since they are formed under the influence of society, they are subject to changes. Gender stereotypes are often related to distribution of family roles (a woman – a mother and homemaker, a man – earner), competencies (women are more suited for humanitarian work or service sector, men are technicians or managers) and politics (politics – not for women).

There is distinguished a set of binary oppositions, stereotypically attributed to men and women (Peterson, Puhl and Luedicke, 2012):

Sample essay on standardized measurement instruments.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Have a language expert improve your writing

Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes, generate your apa citations for free.

Knowledge Base
College essay

How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples

Published on September 21, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability. Your essay shouldn’t just be a resume of your experiences; colleges are looking for a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

To write about your achievements and qualities without sounding arrogant, use specific stories to illustrate them. You can also write about challenges you’ve faced or mistakes you’ve made to show vulnerability and personal growth.

Start with self-reflection, how to write about challenges and mistakes, how to write about your achievements and qualities, how to write about a cliché experience, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Before you start writing, spend some time reflecting to identify your values and qualities. You should do a comprehensive brainstorming session, but here are a few questions to get you started:

What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
Whom do you admire most and why?
What are the top five things you are thankful for?
What has inspired your hobbies or future goals?
What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

As you self-reflect, consider how your values and goals reflect your prospective university’s program and culture, and brainstorm stories that demonstrate the fit between the two.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing about difficult experiences can be an effective way to show authenticity and create an emotional connection to the reader, but choose carefully which details to share, and aim to demonstrate how the experience helped you learn and grow.

Be vulnerable

It’s not necessary to have a tragic story or a huge confession. But you should openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Even a cliché or mundane topic can be made interesting with honest reflection. This honesty is a preface to self-reflection and insight in the essay’s conclusion.

Don’t overshare

With difficult topics, you shouldn’t focus too much on negative aspects. Instead, use your challenging circumstances as a brief introduction to how you responded positively.

Share what you have learned

It’s okay to include your failure or mistakes in your essay if you include a lesson learned. After telling a descriptive, honest story, you should explain what you learned and how you applied it to your life.

While it’s good to sell your strengths, you also don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead of just stating your extracurricular activities, achievements, or personal qualities, aim to discreetly incorporate them into your story.

Brag indirectly

Mention your extracurricular activities or awards in passing, not outright, to avoid sounding like you’re bragging from a resume.

Use stories to prove your qualities

Even if you don’t have any impressive academic achievements or extracurriculars, you can still demonstrate your academic or personal character. But you should use personal examples to provide proof. In other words, show evidence of your character instead of just telling.

Many high school students write about common topics such as sports, volunteer work, or their family. Your essay topic doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but do try to include unexpected personal details and your authentic voice to make your essay stand out .

To find an original angle, try these techniques:

Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses.
Mention objects that have special significance to you.
Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight.

Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality. When read out loud, the essay should sound like you are talking.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

Writing process
Transition words
Passive voice
Paraphrasing

Communication

How to end an email
Ms, mrs, miss
How to start an email
I hope this email finds you well
Hope you are doing well

Parts of speech

Personal pronouns
Conjunctions

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/write-about-yourself/

Is this article helpful?

Kirsten Courault

Other students also liked, style and tone tips for your college essay | examples, what do colleges look for in an essay | examples & tips, how to make your college essay stand out | tips & examples, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Examination of Skinner’s Concept of Self Control Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Burrhus Frederic Skinner was an American psychologist and a philosopher. He is categorized as a behaviorist following his famous rat experiment which he conducted to demonstrate that behavior is influenced not by individuals’ will but by other variables which are external to the individuals.

He took a hungry rat and placed it in a cage and then placed a lever and a food tray. Since the rat was hungry, it would wander in the cage sniffing everywhere and accidentally stepped on the lever, which would trigger the release of a food pellet into the food tray. Skinner observed that the frequency of pressing the lever increased up to the time when the rat was no longer hungry.

This experiment drove Skinner to reach the conclusion that there is nothing like free will but rather, behavior was a consequence of our actions. If actions carry positive rewards, the corresponding behaviors are perfected. Similary, if certain behaviors are not rewarded, they are avoided.

Skinner belonged to the school of thought which contents that human behavior is determined by our cultural orientations and psychological profiling. If we live in a culture whereby for example girls are married at a tender age, then the girls who live in that culture have got no option other than to get married at tender age because the culture stipulates so.

We may also be influenced by our psychological profiling when making some decisions. For example, if we have a tendency of being nymphomaniac (the desire of women to want as much sex and as frequent as possible) then our behavior is already determined by our psychological profiling and therefore we have no option other than to want as much sex as possible.

Determinism in this sense therefore can be said to disregard morality by contenting that we are what we are and we cannot be otherwise (Honderich, 2005).

Despite Skinner’s stand against free will, he went ahead and introduced the concept of self control. What he meant by self control was that human beings were able to generate various responses in an attempt to change their behavior. As stated earlier, human behavior is shaped by the environment in which an individual lives.

Self control occurs through changing the environment, which subsequently changes the behavior of an individual. For example, if a person stays near a place where chocolates are sold just outside the door of the house; there are high chances that the person would develop the habit of eating chocolates every time he or she sees them, which may become an addicition of some kind.

If the person takes the action of driving the sellers of the chocolates away, then he would have tamed his habit of eating chocolates. Another example is that of a person who is addicted to watching a television due to proximity to the TV.

In order to control this habit, the person can keep it in his or her parents’ house so that he or she can avoid watching it. Skinner outlined various ways of achieving self control. They include stimulus control, self punishment or reinforcement and monitoring one’s behavior among others (Schultz & Schultz, 2009).

The argument on stimulus control is based on the fact that there is a stimulus which is present during the reinforcement or punishment of a response and thus that particular stimulus is associated with that reinforcement or punishment of the response to the extend that the response is likely or unlikely to occur in the presence of that stimulus.

A good example is the counseling given to obese clients. One counselor called Stuart once agreed with his obese clients that they were not supposed to eat when doing something else like talking or watching a television, the reasoning being that the talking or watching the television was capable of influencing the eating behaviors of the obese clients.

For instance, due to talking or watching the television, the clients would end up either abandoning the eating or eating too much without realizing it. This worked very well for the obese clients (Schultz & Schultz, 2009).

Self control can also be achieved through what Skinner calls distraction or simply doing something else. This applies to situations when individuals are surrounded by tempting behaviors and they can easily fall to those temptations. Such individuals can control themselves by redirecting their attention away from the targets (Schultz & Schultz, 2005).

Self control also occurs through self reinforcement or punishment. Sometimes it is not always that the environment woud provide results which can shape our behaviors. In such situations, individuals may act in such a way as to reinforce or punish themselves. In an effort to illustrate this, Bandura set up an experiment in which children in three groups were told to play with a toy wheel by turning it.

Group one did not receive any kind of reinforcement. Group two was told to reinforce itself with some type of tokens and yet the third gruop was reinforced with similar tokens to those used by the second group to reinforce itself. The result was that the second group which reinforced itself and the third group which was reinforced turned the toy wheels more frequently than the group which did not have any kind of reinforcement.

Informing others about one’s goals is also another way of achieving self control. Sometimes telling others about one’s goals may bring some change in the environment. If for instance I tell my friends about my goals, chances are that the friends’ behavior may change significantly, which in turn would contribute in the changing of my behavior.

If I tell them that my goal is to lose weight, the friends may provide the necessary reinforcement for losing it. They can do so either by encouraging me to resist any temptation to gain more weight or they may advise me to enroll in programs for losing weight.

One can also achieve self control through monitoring his or her behavior. One can keep a record of the frequency of a certain behavior and possibly present the information in a graph. The graph can therefore help the individual shape that behavior towards the direction which he or she desires.

As demonstrated in the above explanations of how self control is achieved, one thing becomes very clear; that self control is not generated through internal activity but originates from the ability of an individual to manipulate the external environment in a way that the individual is capable of changing his or her behavior.

This argument is based on the premise that the environment determines our behavior. For us to be able to control our behavior therefore, we have to manipulate the environment so that we get an opportunity to change our behaviors.

I find Skinner’s concept of self control very congruent with his general view point that behavior is determined by our environment and the consequences of our actions. Skinner’s arguments on the concept of self control are clealry explained and they are not in any way contradicting his general point of view. In fact, the arguments actually complement his general point of view.

The reason is because in both the concept of self control and the general point of view, behavior starts and ends with the environment. We can say that the environment forms the denominator in both arguments because if we remove it, both arguments would not make any sense (The critical thinking community, 2011).

In the general point of view, he argues that our behavior is shaped by our actios and the environment in which we live. He says that free will is actually an illlusion. In the concept of self control, he does not attempt to introduce a situation in which free will has an influence on our behaviors.

What he does in the explanation of the concept of self control is to argue that human beings are able to control their behavior by intefering with the same environment which shapes their behavior. After the interference, another environment is created which now shapes our behavior in a different way.

This is not to say that there is an entity known as self control which human beings can use to shape their behavior. This is so because self control is not an environment but rather a process of interfering with an environment to bring the desired choices.

According to John Locke, human beings are born as Tabula Rasa (blank slate), that is, humans are born with empty minds (Reuben, 2005). This leaves the environment as the only channel through which they can acquire behavior. Self control therefore only works to complement the general view point by Skinner and it does not in any way contradict the same.

The attempts to control our behaviors do not occur in a vacuum but rather in an environment. The attempts to change our behavior through manipulating the environment do not always succeed, meaning that self control is not a guarantee to regulation of one’s behavior.

Honderich, T. (2005). On Determinism and Freedom . Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Reuben, S. (2005). Tabula rasa. Orlando, Fla: Harcourt.

Schultz, D.P., & Schultz, S.E. (2005). Theories of personality . Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.

Schultz, D.P., & Schultz, S.E. (2009). Theories of personality . Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

The critical thinking community, (2011). Developing as Rational Persons: Viewing Our Development in Stages . Web.

Emotional Intelligence in Teamwork and Mutual Cooperation
Kelly’s cognitive theory
Conditioning Theory by B.F. Skinner
Behavioral Theoretical Perspective
Perspectives of Behaviorism by Watson, Skinner, and Tolman
Best Ways to Study According to Cognitive Psychologists
The Need to Improve One's Self-Awareness
Theoretical Models in Understanding Working Memory
Cognitive and Behavioral Theories
Turing Test From Computer Science
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, June 8). Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control. https://ivypanda.com/essays/examination-of-skinners-concept-of-self-control/

"Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control." IvyPanda , 8 June 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/examination-of-skinners-concept-of-self-control/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control'. 8 June.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control." June 8, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/examination-of-skinners-concept-of-self-control/.

1. IvyPanda . "Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control." June 8, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/examination-of-skinners-concept-of-self-control/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control." June 8, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/examination-of-skinners-concept-of-self-control/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

Basic site functions
Ensuring secure, safe transactions
Secure account login
Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
Remembering privacy and security settings
Analyzing site traffic and usage
Personalized search, content, and recommendations
Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

Remembering general and regional preferences
Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

Learn English
Universities
Practice Tests
Study Abroad
Knowledge Centre
Ask Experts
Study Abroad Consultants
Post Content
Children's World

An essay on self-control. A real virtue

Self-control is one of the important virtues one should have. Self-control will help us in making correct decisions and our relations with others also will improve. People with self-control will be successful in their lives. Various factors of self-control are discussed in this essay.

Introduction

Factors required to attain self-control:.

Monitoring: We should review what we plan and what is happening. If we want to reduce our weight, we will make a plan for our diet. Even though we are following the same plan, we should also know how effective our plan is? For this regular monitoring is required. We may have to see our weight at regular intervals and see if the weight loss as planned is achieved or not? If necessary we may amend our plan and go ahead.
Benchmarking: We should always work against some standards. If we are not following the standards, we may not achieve the goal. We know that driving after taking an alcoholic drink is harmful and if we were caught, we have to pay a fine. This may lead to accidents also. We should decide that we will not drive when we are under the influence of alcoholic drinks. We should always keep that in mind and should not drive after taking a drink at any cost.
Acquiring strength: The decisions, that we take, are to be implemented. That requires some energy. It may be physical as well as mental. We should attain these energies by doing meditation, exercise and prayers.

Why should we achieve self-control?

Our health will get improved. Once we achieve this self-control, we can have good sleep. Our anxiety levels will come down. We will not get stress easily. We will develop a cool nature. We start thinking well before taking any actions. All these will give us better ways of living.
Our relations with others will improve. We can easily excuse others. Self-control will take us away from violence. It will make us face conflicts thoughtfully instead of immediate impulses.
Self-control people are more generous. They can overcome their selfish thoughts. They will try to help others to the maximum possible extent. These actions will help societies to progress.

How to achieve self-control?

One should start accounting for his/ her mental strength. They should evaluate themselves what they intended to do and what they did. How much control we can exercise on our brain should be evaluated. If we are mindful of our activities, we can say that we can control ourselves. Once we start this review and try to improve further, we can achieve self-control.
We should keep our environment in such a way that what we don't want to do will not happen. If you don't want to eat junk food, you should see that no junk food will appear in and around you.
Decide what you want to do and see that you will adhere to that decision. For example, as soon as you get up in the morning, decide that you will not quarrel with anybody on that day. Then your mind may get tuned to the decision taken.

Self-control is directly related to our emotions because when we talk about controlling ourselves it is mainly about controlling our emotions or mind. As far as controlling the feelings of others or sometimes their mind will also seem easy for you, but this control towards yourself is less. A person loves himself a lot, wants to give priority to his own comfort, and for this comfort he does not want to control his feelings by prioritizing them. Whereas the truth is that the day a person learns to control himself, he can create the best situation for himself. Many ways help in self-control but the most important thing is to focus on yourself and identify yourself as to what is inside you that is not letting you allowed to control your emotions. May it be your ego, or a false pride whatever it is once you recognize it and remove it from yourself, your control over yourself will start increasing. Self-control is an important factor for a happy and healthy life for every human.

In Tamil there is a great saying that "Poruthar Bhoomi azhwar" that means those who have patience and self control over their own emotions they are going to walk further steps of success because their reactions to anyone is nil and that itself a great trait in offing. When a person tries to control himself, his wants are controlled, his emotions are controlled, his ego kept away, his jealous feeling on others controlled, his evil plans on other kept aside and all these good traits starts developing one after other and the person goes to the position of trans meditation as does not want anything now but the mental peace and peaceful living. Those who have self control does not want things that are not wanted so the expenses are nothing and nil. And even interaction with others also goes slow and thus there is no gossiping allegations,

Self-control is a quality of a person which helps him to be calm in each and every situation. It enhances self-confidence to control your emotions. Because after losing self-control one cannot do the right thing or cannot make the right decision. Sometimes when a person lacks self-confidence due to overwhelming emotions he/she shows a loss of self-control. He/she can start shouting or weeping in that situation. Which is a sign of his/her weakness. But to stay focused and achieve your goals it is important to have self-discipline and self-control. One can develop self-control by strengthening willpower, making plans, measuring progress, and rewarding himself.

Self-control can be correlated with discipline. To some extent, a self-controlled person is seen as living a disciplined life. It is one of the important virtues for getting success in life. Nowadays, people having lack this quality. As a result, they are unable to live a happy life even though they are wealthy people. Generally, people think that we should enjoy more and more in life because life is for once. So, they live an undisciplined life and never keep self-control over the body. They eat and enjoy more in life. As a result, their health starts deteriorating and victims of different diseases. In a real sense, only self-controlled people can enjoy their life till the end.

This is a wide subject and needs to be discussed and debated. By self-control, we mean the balanced approach to any problem. By controlling ourselves we are proving to others that we cannot be tempted to do wrong and that we act only after thinking. Self-controlled persons will have confidence in themselves because they think before they act and the chances of going wrong are very few.

As described by the author, impulsiveness is precisely the opposite of self-control. They do not go hand in hand. Most of us take decisions based on our emotions. Something tempts us, and we go after it. The irony is we know what is right and what is wrong for us, and yet, we do not take the right decisions. Our impulses overpower us. For example, we know that anger can ruin everything. It is bad for our mental health. It deteriorates our physical health. It ruins our relationship with others. It disturbs everyone around us. We have all the knowledge. How many of us can show some wisdom by putting the acquired knowledge to the best use? Not many for sure. Something or someone triggers us, and we display anger. This itself is losing self-control. A person is said to have complete self-control over himself only who has control over his thoughts, words and actions. He knows what he is thinking. He is consciously aware of his every thought. When he doesn't want to think about something, he is never going to create that kind of thought. For example, in today's world, it is taught always to think positively. How many of us can do that? We remain positive for a few minutes. Sometimes it can last for an hour and soon something negative strikes our mind, and we start creating the same quality of thoughts. A person who has complete self-control over himself can stay positive for as long as he wants irrespective of how much negativity prevails around him. He will never utter a single word he did not want to say. He will never carry out an act that he did not want to do. He thinks what he wants to think. He says what he wants to say.

Do not include your name, "with regards" etc in the comment. Write detailed comment, relevant to the topic.
No HTML formatting and links to other web sites are allowed.
This is a strictly moderated site. Absolutely no spam allowed.

Top Contributors

Vandana (9)
DR.N.V. Sriniva... (8)
Sarojah (5)

About IndiaStudyChannel.com

Being the most popular educational website in India, we believe in providing quality content to our readers. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any content published here, feel free to contact us using the Contact link below.

Admissions Consulting
Adsense Revenue
Become an Editor
Membership Levels
Winners & Awards
Guest Posting
Help Topics

STUDY ABROAD

Study in Foreign Universities
Study in Germany
Study in Italy
Study in Ireland
Study in France
Study in Australia
Study in New Zealand
Indian Universities
Nursing in Mangalapuram
BDS in Mangalore
MBA in Bangalore
Nursing admissions in Mangalore
Distance MBA
B Pharm in Mangalore
MBBS in Mangalore
BBA in Mangalore
MBA Digital Marketing
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

Self-Control Essays

Feminist media histories, development of self-control discussing differences in manifestation at different stages, self-control and police misconduct, popular essay topics.

American Dream
Artificial Intelligence
Black Lives Matter
Bullying Essay
Career Goals Essay
Causes of the Civil War
Child Abusing
Civil Rights Movement
Community Service
Cultural Identity
Cyber Bullying
Death Penalty
Depression Essay
Domestic Violence
Freedom of Speech
Global Warming
Gun Control
Human Trafficking
I Believe Essay
Immigration
Importance of Education
Israel and Palestine Conflict
Leadership Essay
Legalizing Marijuanas
Mental Health
National Honor Society
Police Brutality
Pollution Essay
Racism Essay
Romeo and Juliet
Same Sex Marriages
Social Media
The Great Gatsby
The Yellow Wallpaper
Time Management
To Kill a Mockingbird
Violent Video Games
What Makes You Unique
Why I Want to Be a Nurse
Send us an e-mail

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Great Gatsby — Self-Control in The Great Gatsby: A Critical Examination

Self-control in The Great Gatsby: a Critical Examination

Categories: Symbolism The Great Gatsby

About this sample

Words: 759 |

Published: Jun 6, 2024

Words: 759 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Introduction, self-control and jay gatsby, daisy buchanan and the illusion of self-control, tom buchanan: the antithesis of self-control.

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 726 words

3.5 pages / 1863 words

1 pages / 546 words

3 pages / 1264 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on The Great Gatsby

Bootlegging, the illegal production and distribution of alcohol, played a significant role in American history during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, provides a vivid depiction of [...]

F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel 'The Great Gatsby' is renowned for its rich symbolism, and one of its most iconic symbols is the green light. Positioned at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock, the green light carries profound [...]

The author provides a vivid portrayal of life in America during the 1920s, with a particular focus on the relationships between different social classes. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, represents the rags-to-riches story of an [...]

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, the broken clock in Gatsby's mansion serves as a powerful symbol that conveys deeper themes and ideas within the story. The broken clock, located in Gatsby's library, is a [...]

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," symbolism plays a crucial role in conveying deeper meanings and themes throughout the story. From the iconic green light at the end of Daisy's dock to the symbolic use of colors [...]

On the surface of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby”, the book appears to be a celebration of the American Dream however upon further inspection it is evident that the novel holds deep criticisms towards the concept [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

COMMENTS

Essay on Self Control
500 Words Essay on Self Control Introduction. Self-control, a fundamental human attribute, is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. As an executive function, self-control is a cognitive process that is necessary for regulating one's behavior in order to achieve specific goals
The Importance of Self-Control
Essay Example: Self-control, you know, is often seen as one of those key things that can really shape how well we do in life. It's all about being able to keep your emotions, thoughts, and actions in check, even when temptations are everywhere. These days, with so many things offering instant. Writing Service;
Improve Self-Control: Tips to Help You Succeed
Examples of Self-Control. Setting goals to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, be more productive, give up bad habits, and save money are just a few actions requiring self-control. More examples of self-control include: Avoiding social media when you are at work so that it doesn't hurt your productivity.
500-Word on Self Control: [Essay Example], 513 words
Published: Jun 24, 2024. Self-control is a fundamental aspect of human behavior that has been the subject of extensive research in psychology, sociology, and other social sciences. It refers to the ability to regulate one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to achieve long-term goals and resist immediate temptations or impulses.
What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of
Subjects who had exerted self-control in the video task were willing to spend considerably more—$30,037, on average, versus $22,789 for participants whose self-control hadn't been run down. In a second experiment, Vohs and Faber tested subjects' actual spending behavior by presenting them with an opportunity to purchase low-cost items ...
Willpower: Definition, Effects, and How to Increase It
The capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling, or impulse. The ability to employ a "cool" cognitive system of behavior rather than a "hot" emotional system. The conscious, effortful regulation of the self by the self. Some researchers believe that willpower is partly determined by genetics.
Importance of Self Discipline: [Essay Example], 623 words
Importance of Self Discipline. Self-discipline is a crucial attribute that enables individuals to achieve personal and professional goals. It involves the ability to control one's emotions, behaviors, and desires in the face of external demands, to stay focused and productive. Self-discipline is not just about self-control but also about ...
What is Self-Regulation? (+95 Skills and Strategies)
As psychologist Stuart Shanker (2016) put it: "Self-control is about inhibiting strong impulses; self-regulation [is about] reducing the frequency and intensity of strong impulses by managing stress-load and recovery. In fact, self-regulation is what makes self-control possible, or, in many cases, unnecessary.".
The Critical Importance of Self-Control (And How to Grow in It)
Self-control is the war between impulsivity and doing what's right or beneficial. It's the ability to control emotions, impulses or behaviors to achieve a greater goal. A common example of this is people attempting to maintain their New Year's Resolution and lose a few pounds.
Self-Control: Individual Development Plan Essay
Self-awareness, self-control, and empathy are important emotional intelligence skills that effective leaders ought to exhibit. Self-control is significant since it means better academic performance, improved health, and greater success in life.
The Importance of Self-discipline for Achieving Success
Power of Self-Control. Self-control also has to act against many obstacles like truly understanding what self-control really is about; or about deficiencies of the desire to alter and improve. And it has to act against solid and uncontrolled emotional responses. Also, do not allow self-control to be considered a restricting and unpleasant activity.
40+ Benefits of Self-Control and Self-Discipline
Research indicates that improving self-control is 100% worth it. There are a myriad of benefits of self-control that cover multiple domains of functioning (i.e., fitness, diet, risky behaviors, school and career success, happiness, etc.). Moreover, the benefits of self-control are evident among all age-groups.
Self-Control
Self-control—or the ability to manage one's impulses, emotions, and behaviors to achieve long-term goals—is what separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. Self-control is primarily ...
9 Ways to Practice Self-Control and Improve Your Life
That includes forgiving others and forgiving yourself in order to release the hold that negativity has on you. The better you get at forgiving, the less you will give in to feelings of anger ...
Essay on Self Discipline for Students and Children
500+ Words Essay on Self Discipline. Self-discipline means self-control, which gives you inner strength and a way to control yourself, actions, and reactions. It is one of the most important and useful skills to achieve success and everyone should possess this quality. Self-discipline comes naturally to some people.
Self-control College Essay Examples That Really Inspire
In this free collection of Self-control College Essay examples, you are granted a thrilling opportunity to discover meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Exploiting them while composing your own Self-control College Essay will surely allow you to ...
How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay
Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses. Mention objects that have special significance to you. Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight. Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality.
Examination of Skinner's Concept of Self Control Essay
Self control occurs through changing the environment, which subsequently changes the behavior of an individual. For example, if a person stays near a place where chocolates are sold just outside the door of the house; there are high chances that the person would develop the habit of eating chocolates every time he or she sees them, which may become an addicition of some kind.
Finding meaning in self-control: The effect of self-control on the
The benefits of self-control have been consistently demonstrated across different life domains, from academic achievement to health (De Ridder, Lensvelt-Mulders, Finkenauer, Stok, & Baumeister, Citation 2012; Tangney, Baumeister, & Boone, Citation 2004).Individuals scoring higher (vs. lower) on trait self-control are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, procrastination, substance ...
An essay on self-control. A real virtue
Self-control gives the required confidence to achieve the goal without getting distracted from the goal. We will have a better life with good relations with the people around us and we can have less stress and we will have peace of mind. Sometimes our self-control will take us away from possible disasters. Self-control is one of the important ...
Self-Control, Expectations, and Patience: Essays on Social Decision Making
Essay 1: Self-Control and Altruism: The Moderating Role of Endowments People exhibit a remarkable ability to cooperate with one another, to an extent that critically distinguishes human society from communities of other primate and animal species. Although altruism plays an essential role in sustaining cooperation among
Self-Control Essay Examples
Self-Control Essays. Feminist Media Histories. ... Relationship between self-control and police misconduct This research about police misconduct and its relationship to self-control hypothesized that low-levels of discipline among police officers are associated with involvement in misconduct over those with high-levels of discipline. The study ...
Self-control in The Great Gatsby: a Critical Examination
This essay seeks to examine the manifestations and consequences of self-control and its absence in key characters such as Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan. Through an analytical lens, we will explore how their actions and decisions are influenced by their capacity for self-restraint, and how this, in turn, reflects the broader socio ...
Self-control and self-expression.
Does self-control express or suppress our true selves? This article reviews the emerging body of literature on the effect of self-control on authentic self-expression from the actors' (self-signaling) and the observers' (other-signaling) perspective. While actors can experience self-control as either expression or suppression of the self, individual differences in decision-making or personal ...

Essay on Self Control

100 Words Essay on Self Control

The Importance of Self Control

Ways to Improve Self Control

250 Words Essay on Self Control

The Importance of Self-Control

Self-Control and Decision Making

500 Words Essay on Self Control

The Nature of Self-Control

Developing Self-Control

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The Importance of Self-Control

Doing Well in School and Self-Control

Mental Health and Self-Control

Relationships and Self-Control

Wrapping Up

Cite this page

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control

Introduction

Defining willpower

Further reading

Delaying gratification

Is willpower a limited resource?

Willpower and healthy behaviors

Willpower, poverty, and financial decision-making

Strengthening self-control

Key points and conclusions

Recommended Reading

You may also like

What Is Willpower?

Why Willpower Is Important

At a Glance

Is Willpower a Limited Resource?

Does More Willpower Equal More Success?

Work It Like a Muscle

Get Enough Sleep

Avoid Temptations

Get Advice From The Verywell Mind Podcast

Academic Programs

Student Experience

What Is Self-Control?

Why Is Self-Control Important?

The Link Between Self-Control and Empathy

What Are the Secrets of Self-Control?

Pray, Meditate, Be Mindful

Get Enough Sleep

Create a Ritual

How to Teach Children the Art of Self-Control

Self-Control in the Future

Grow in Influence With a Degree

Alicia Wyant

Related Posts

Introducing the 2023 Staff Hall of Honor Award Winner: Joanna Taylor

Navigating Ministry Staff Transitions

A Balancing Act

Step by Step: Applying for LLPC Licensure

Beginning Again: A New School Year

YO CORTARÉ EL PASTO!

Getting Your Counseling Practice Off the Ground

Recent News

40+ Benefits of Self-Control and Self-Discipline

This Article Contains:

1. Weight, Fitness, and Health

2. Academic and Career Success

3. Risky and Problem Behaviors

4. Various Additional Outcomes Related to Self-control

The secret to self control – Jonathan Bricker

1. Processes, Measurement, and Moderators

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

Treatment and Intervention

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Exercises (PDF)

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Tools Pack (PDF)

17 Exercises To Foster Self-Acceptance and Compassion

Article feedback

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Related articles

Urge Surfing: How Riding the Wave Breaks Bad Habits

Reparenting: Seeking Healing for Your Inner Child

30 Best Self-Exploration Questions, Journal Prompts, & Tools