Cognitive and behavioral training interventions to promote self-control.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Health Science

Background:

• Impulsive behaviors are linked to numerous diseases, suggesting impulsivity is a trans-disease process.
• Self-controlled responding is vital for human health and disease prevention.
• Existing research highlights the need for effective self-control interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cognitive and behavioral interventions aimed at promoting self-controlled responding.
• To evaluate the efficacy and characteristics of various self-control interventions.
• To propose a framework for understanding intervention effects on self-control.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on self-control interventions.
• Analysis of interventions including effort exposure, reward discrimination, reward bundling, interval schedules of reinforcement, impulse control training, and mindfulness training.
• Introduction of a diagram illustrating proposed intervention effects.

Main Results:

• Most reviewed interventions consistently increase self-control, with mindfulness training being an exception.
• Intervention effects can be long-lasting or transient.
• Interventions are often domain-specific, targeting particular cognitive/behavioral processes.

Conclusions:

• Interventions represent a promising approach to enhancing self-control.
• Targeted interventions may summate or synergize to improve general self-control.
• Developing self-control profiles can personalize interventions for specific deficits and improve health outcomes.