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'Pleasureful self-control'? A new perspective on old problems.

Daniela Becker1, Katharina Bernecker2, Aiste Guobyte3

  • 1Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Current Opinion in Psychology
|September 24, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Many societal challenges are seen as lacking self-control, but this research reframes them as problems of insufficient pleasure. Findings show pleasure aids goal initiation, persistence, and resisting temptations, offering new solutions.

Keywords:
HealthHedonic goal pursuitIntrinsic motivationPleasureSelf-controlSelf-regulationSustainability

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Societal Challenges

Background:

  • Societal issues like health and sustainability are often viewed as self-control failures.
  • Current approaches focus on overcoming temptations and strengthening self-control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel conceptualization of societal challenges as problems of 'too little pleasure'.
  • To review evidence on how pleasure can enhance self-control.
  • To encourage a perspective shift in addressing these challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of empirical evidence.
  • Analysis of psychological and behavioral science research.
  • Conceptual reframing of self-control challenges.

Main Results:

  • Pleasure positively influences the initiation of goal-directed behaviors.
  • Pleasure enhances persistence in pursuing long-term goals.
  • Pleasure aids in resisting immediate, tempting alternatives.

Conclusions:

  • Viewing challenges as 'too little pleasure' offers a new framework for intervention.
  • Integrating pleasure into solutions can improve self-control outcomes.
  • This perspective shift can lead to more effective strategies for health and sustainability goals.