Control me or I will control you: Impulses, trait self-control, and the guidance of behavior

Abstract

A central assumption in research on self-control is that impulses more strongly influence the self-regulatory behavior of individuals who are low as compared to high in trait self-control. The present research addresses this central assumption directly by assessing individual differences in trait self-control as well as in impulsive precursors of behavior. As expected, impulsive precursors translated into behavior for individuals who were low, but not high in trait self-control. This pattern emerged for the consumption of potato chips (Study 1), and self-reported alcohol consumption (Studies 2a and 2b). The findings persisted when controlling for the related construct of trait impulsivity. The results illustrate the dynamic interplay between impulses and trait self-control in the determination of self-regulatory behavior.