Self-control: theory and research.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychiatry

Background:

• Self-control difficulties are central to numerous psychiatric disorders.
• Self-control is a critical, often lacking, component for successful treatment outcomes.
• Self-control is a stable trait or skill, yet it is amenable to change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review theory and research on self-control.
• To summarize selected research and clinical practice conclusions.
• To explore the measurement, biological underpinnings, and modifiability of self-control.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of self-control theory and research.
• Summary of clinical practice observations.
• Discussion of performance tests versus questionnaires for measurement.
• Overview of ongoing biological research (prefrontal cortex, alcohol, serotonin).

Main Results:

• Self-control is crucial for psychiatric disorder treatment and success.
• Performance tests offer advantages for measuring self-control.
• Biological factors like the prefrontal cortex, alcohol, and serotonin influence self-control.
• Self-control exhibits "momentum effects" and can be strengthened by practice.

Conclusions:

• Self-control is a key factor in psychiatric health and treatment efficacy.
• Measurement of self-control can be achieved through performance tests.
• Biological and practice-based interventions can modulate self-control.
• Self-control functions analogously to a muscle, fatiguing with short-term use but strengthening with long-term exercise.