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Effortless self-control
Marleen Gillebaart1, Iris K Schneider2
1Utrecht University, Social, Health, and Organisational Psychology, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Self-control is essential for outcomes in several life domains but is often seen as effortful. We discuss recent research indicating the possibility of effortless self-control. First, we discuss how high levels of self-control are associated with quicker self-control conflict identification and resolution. Second, we describe two pathways that may lead to these associations: (1) How automatization of behaviors plays a role in self-control outcomes. That is, self-control is associated with better, effortless habits. (2) We discuss that self-control conflicts can be anticipated and resolved with strategies that avoid effortful inhibition. Taken together, we aim to demonstrate that there is more to successful self-control than 'simply' working hard to resist your impulses - there may be easier roads to take.
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