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Self control

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Self control is the ability to control one's behaviors, actions, emotions, thought processes etc. Gaining control over these aspects of ourselves is a key developmental task.

It is sometimes called self-regulation or self discipline, and exerting self-control through the executive functions in decision making is thought to deplete a resource in the ego.[1]


Self-control in Behavior AnalysisEdit


Self-control is directly related to the pressure you face.

  • Good Pressure: When you are in a competitive yet non-judgemental and non-prejudicial environment, you want to be like those around you. You become motivated and inspired and gain self-control.
  • Bad Pressure: When you are in a judgemental and prejudicial environment and there is no competition you become depressed and unmotivated. You lose self-control.
  • No Pressure: When you are free and there is no competition, you do what you feel. Your self-control is based on how you feel and since there is no one to compare yourself to, you may be less motivated or more motivated depending on the urgency of whatever you are doing.

The importance of using self control for patienceEdit


Self-control researchEdit


Human self-controlEdit




Functional imaging research identifies self-control with an area in the dorsal fronto-median cortex in the frontal lobe that is distinct from those involved in generating intentional actions, attention to intentions, or select between alternatives.[10] This control occurs through the top-down inhibition of premotor cortex.[11]

Outcomes as determining whether a self-control choice is madeEdit




Self control as a limited resourceEdit

For more details see Ego depletion


Subjects that were given a task that involves self-control were later less able to exert self-control, even in entirely different areas. This result was replicated in over a hundred experiments [12]


The Function of Age: Structural Development




Self control and the quality of life Edit


Impulse control Edit

Self Control as defined here is also known as impulse control or self regulation. Some psychologists prefer the term impulse control because it may be more precise. The term self regulation is used to refer to the many processes individuals use to manage drives and emotions. Therefore, self regulation also embodies the concept of willpower. Self regulation is an extremely important executive function of the brain. Deficits in self control/regulation are found in a large number of psychological disorders including ADHD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, addiction, eating disorders and impulse control disorders[3].

The Self in Behavior AnalysisEdit

Skinner's Exhaustive Survey of Self-Control Techniques Edit


Physical Restraint and physical aid Edit


Changing the stimulus Edit


Depriving and satiating Edit


Manipulating emotional conditions Edit


Using aversive stimulation Edit


Drugs Edit


Operant conditioning Edit

The use of a token economy, or other methods or techniques unique to operant conditioning may be seen as a special form of self-control.It takes great self control to stay off of drugs or smoking

Punishment Edit



"Doing something else" Edit

Skinner notes that Jesus exemplified this principle in loving his enemies.[20] When we are filled with rage or hatred we might control ourselves by 'doing something else' or more specifically something that is incompatible with our response.

"Environment and Schooling" Edit

The environment plays a significant role in the development of self control in children. It is known that there is a positive correlation between age and self control. For example, in school children are taught that they can not have any toy that they want to play with and that they must share. They must ask politely for anything that they want and may not hit other people or be mean in order to get something. Also, they may not go to recess whenever they want to. They are taught that if they work hard in their classes they will be able to go to recess. This is teaching the children delay of gratification in a very effective manner. Home also plays a role, due to parents and siblings, as parents teach their children about self –control due to modeling, other examples through allowance they might be given a certain amount is given to them and they learn to conserve the money. Siblings teach each other about self-control watching each other and what the result of the actions.

Neuroscience of self controlEdit


See alsoEdit

References & BibliographyEdit

  1. Vohs KD, Baumeister RF, Schmeichel BJ, Twenge JM, Nelson NM, Tice DM (May 2008). Making choices impairs subsequent self-control: a limited-resource account of decision making, f-regulation, and active initiative. J Pers Soc Psychol 94 (5): 883–98.
  2. , Fowers BJ. 2008, From Continence to Virtue: Recovering Goodness, Character Unity, and Character Types for Posewitive Psychology. Theory & Psychology, Vol. 18, No. 5, 629-653
  3. Skinner, B.F. (1953) Science and Human Behavior, p.230.
  4. Pierce, W. D., & Cheney, C. D. (2004). Behavior Analysis & Learning. 3rd Ed. Mahway, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p. 258
  6. Reported in the book "The Attitude Factor" by Thomas Blakeslee
  7. Hyten, C., Madden, G. J., & Field, D. P. (1994). Exchange delays and impulsive choice in adult humans. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 62, 225-233.
  8. Jackson, K., & Hackenberg, T. D., (1996). Token reinforcement, choice, and self-control in pigeons.Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 66, 29-49.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Logue, A.W. (1995). Self-Control: Waiting Until Tomorrow For What You Want Today. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall
  10. Brass M, Haggard P. (2007).To do or not to do: the neural signature of self-control. J Neurosci. 27(34):9141-5. PMID 17715350
    1. REDIRECT Template:Doi
  11. Kühn S, Haggard P, Brass M. (2009). Intentional inhibition: How the "veto-area" exerts control. Hum Brain Mapp. 30(9):2834-2843. PMID 19072994
    1. REDIRECT Template:Doi
  12. Many experiments can be found here
  13. Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV
  14. Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV p. 231
  15. Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV p. 233
  16. Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV p. 235
  17. 17.0 17.1 Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV p. 236
  18. 18.0 18.1 Skinner, B.F. Science and Human Behavior, Chapter XV p. 237
  19. Logue, Self Control: Waiting Until Tomorrow For What You Want Today 34-77
  20. Skinner, B.F. Walden Two 1948

Key textsEdit


  • Bandura, A (1997). Self-efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd ISBN 0716728508
  • Benevento, J A (2004).A Self-regulated Learning Approach For Children With Learning/Behavioral Disorders. Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd.ISBN 0398075360

  • Thoresen, C. E., & Mahoney, M. J.(1974). Behavioral self-control. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.


Additional materialEdit


Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2006). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it (8th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, CA: Prentice-Hall.


External linksEdit


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