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Building Self-Control Strength: Practicing Self-Control Leads to Improved Self-Control Performance.

¹Department of Psychology, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222.

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

|April 20, 2010

Summary

Regularly practicing small acts of self-control significantly enhances self-control capacity. This improvement was observed in adults using the stop signal paradigm, demonstrating a real increase in self-control skills.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

Self-control is crucial for goal achievement and well-being.
Limited research exists on effective methods for capacity-building in self-control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether regular practice of small self-control acts enhances overall self-control capacity.
To differentiate the effects of actual self-control practice from placebo effects.

Main Methods:

Ninety-two adults were recruited.
Self-control capacity was measured using the stop signal paradigm before and after a two-week intervention.
Intervention groups included practicing self-control (dietary changes, handgrip exercises) or control tasks.

Main Results:

Participants practicing self-control showed significant improvements in stop signal performance.
Control groups, despite effortful tasks and belief in improvement, did not show similar gains.
Improvements were directly linked to self-control practice, not self-efficacy or placebo effects.

Conclusions:

Consistent practice of self-control, even in small doses, demonstrably builds self-control capacity.
Findings have implications for developmental psychology and clinical interventions for self-control deficits.