Abstract
AbstractIn a self‐control conflict, people face a dilemma between a current goal (e.g., to exercise regularly) and competing impulses, habits, or desires (e.g., to stay on the couch and continue watching TV). To resolve such conflicts in favor of their goals, individuals may capitalize on a variety of self‐regulatory strategies. In this article, we review recent research on the self‐regulatory strategies people use in their daily lives, research on the effectiveness of these strategies, and research on the consequences of self‐regulatory strategy use on well‐being. We furthermore take both an individual‐differences and a situational perspective by linking strategy use to individual differences between people (e.g., in self‐control) and by emphasizing that strategy effectiveness likely depends on situational context (e.g., on current demands). Finally, we introduce ideas and potential future research questions revolving around the role of individual differences in regulatory flexibility (including context‐sensitivity) for determining a person's self‐regulatory success.
Highlights
In a self-control conflict, people face a dilemma between a current goal and competing impulses, habits, or desires
We review recent research on the self-regulatory strategies people use in their daily lives, research on the effectiveness of these strategies, and research on the consequences of self-regulatory strategy use on wellbeing
We take both an individual-differences and a situational perspective by linking strategy use to individual differences between people and by emphasizing that strategy effectiveness likely depends on situational context
Summary
Not everyone excels at self-control and people differ with regard to how good they are at controlling themselves. A dieter who decides that they should avoid walking home past their favorite bakery and rather chooses the path that does not offer such temptations, uses situation selection as well Situation modification, another situational and preventive strategy, can be used to purposefully alter a situation to promote effective goal pursuit and reduce the need for self-control (Duckworth, Gendler, & Gross, 2016). People may use attentional deployment to direct their attention to aspects of the situation that will advance their goal pursuit/self-control and away from distractions, temptations, or other aspects of the situation that may undermine self-control (Duckworth, Gendler, & Gross, 2016) Such attentional deployment is considered an intrapsychic strategy. Duckworth, White, et al (2016) report in two studies, that students who were instructed to use Anticipating self-reward Focusing on negative consequences Focusing on positive consequences Goal setting Monitoring one’s goal progress Planning/scheduling Reappraisal Self-talk Thinking of the near finish
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