Losing Control: How and Why People Fail at Self-Regulation

Book•

Losing Control: How and Why People Fail at Self-Regulation

Roy F. Baumeister¹, Todd F. Heatherton, Dianne M. Tice•Institutions (1)

21 Nov 1994-

TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a survey of self-regulation failure in social and theoretical contexts, focusing on the following: Self-Regulation Failure: Blowing It. Failure to Control Emotions and Moods.

read less

Abstract: Basic Issues: Introduction: Self-Regulation Failure in Social and Theoretical Context. General Patterns and Mechanisms of Self-Regulation Failure. Controlling Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions: Task Performance and Self-Regulation Failure: Blowing It. Self-Management: Taking Care of Yourself. Thoughts Out of Control. Failure to Control Emotions and Moods. Controlling Impulses and Appetities: Impulses and Appetites. Alcohol Consumption and Abuse. Eating Too Much. Smoking. A Sampler of Other Behavioral Control Problems: Gambling, Shopping, and Aggression. Conclusion: Self Regulation: Propects, Problems, and Promises. References. Subject Index.

...read moreread less

Citations

PDF

Open Access

More filters

Journal Article•DOI•

The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being

[...]

Kirk Warren Brown¹, Richard M. Ryan¹•Institutions (1)

University of Rochester¹

01 Apr 2003-Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

TL;DR: Correlational, quasi-experimental, and laboratory studies show that the MAAS measures a unique quality of consciousness that is related to a variety of well-being constructs, that differentiates mindfulness practitioners from others, and that is associated with enhanced self-awareness.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Mindfulness is an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being. This research provides a theoretical and empirical examination of the role of mindfulness in psychological well-being. The development and psychometric properties of the dispositional Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) are described. Correlational, quasi-experimental, and laboratory studies then show that the MAAS measures a unique quality of consciousness that is related to a variety of well-being constructs, that differentiates mindfulness practitioners from others, and that is associated with enhanced selfawareness. An experience-sampling study shows that both dispositional and state mindfulness predict self-regulated behavior and positive emotional states. Finally, a clinical intervention study with cancer patients demonstrates that increases in mindfulness over time relate to declines in mood disturbance and stress. Many philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions emphasize the importance of the quality of consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being (Wilber, 2000). Despite this, it is easy to overlook the importance of consciousness in human well-being because almost everyone exercises its primary capacities, that is, attention and awareness. Indeed, the relation between qualities of consciousness and well-being has received little empirical attention. One attribute of consciousness that has been much-discussed in relation to well-being is mindfulness. The concept of mindfulness has roots in Buddhist and other contemplative traditions where conscious attention and awareness are actively cultivated. It is most commonly defined as the state of being attentive to and aware of what is taking place in the present. For example, Nyanaponika Thera (1972) called mindfulness “the clear and single-minded awareness of what actually happens to us and in us at the successive moments of perception” (p. 5). Hanh (1976) similarly defined mindfulness as “keeping one’s consciousness alive to the present reality” (p. 11). Recent research has shown that the enhancement of mindfulness through training facilitates a variety of well-being outcomes (e.g., Kabat-Zinn, 1990). To date, however, there has been little work examining this attribute as a naturally occurring characteristic. Recognizing that most everyone has the capacity to attend and to be aware, we nonetheless assume (a) that individuals differ in their propensity or willingness to be aware and to sustain attention to what is occurring in the present and (b) that this mindful capacity varies within persons, because it can be sharpened or dulled by a variety of factors. The intent of the present research is to reliably identify these inter- and intrapersonal variations in mindfulness, establish their relations to other relevant psychological constructs, and demonstrate their importance to a variety of forms of psychological well-being.

...read moreread less

9,818 citations

Cites background from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

...For example, Baumeister, Heatherton, and Tice (1994) reviewed evidence showing that the deployment of conscious attention can override unwanted responses, and such deployment is linked to well-being in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Bad is Stronger than Good

[...]

Roy F. Baumeister¹, Ellen Bratslavsky¹, Ellen Bratslavsky², Catrin Finkenauer³, Kathleen D. Vohs¹ - Show less +1 more•Institutions (3)

Case Western Reserve University¹, Ohio State University², VU University Amsterdam³

01 Dec 2001-Review of General Psychology

TL;DR: The authors found that bad is stronger than good, as a general principle across a broad range of psychological phenomena, such as bad emotions, bad parents, bad feedback, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good.

...read moreread less

Abstract: The greater power of bad events over good ones is found in everyday events, major life events (e.g., trauma), close relationship outcomes, social network patterns, interpersonal interactions, and learning processes. Bad emotions, bad parents, and bad feedback have more impact than good ones, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good. The self is more motivated to avoid bad self-definitions than to pursue good ones. Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones. Various explanations such as diagnosticity and salience help explain some findings, but the greater power of bad events is still found when such variables are controlled. Hardly any exceptions (indicating greater power of good) can be found. Taken together, these findings suggest that bad is stronger than good, as a general principle across a broad range of psychological phenomena.

...read moreread less

5,340 citations

Cites background from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

...Baumeister, Heatherton, and Tice (1994) noted that there are six possible categories of affect regulation, consisting of efforts to induce, prolong, or terminate either a pleasant or an unpleasant state....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Time Discounting and Time Preference: A Critical Review

[...]

Shane Frederick¹, George Loewenstein², Ted O'Donoghue³•Institutions (3)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology¹, Carnegie Mellon University², Cornell University³

01 Jun 2002-Journal of Economic Literature

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the discounted utility (DU) model, its historical development, underlying assumptions, and "anomalies" -the empirical regularities that are inconsistent with its theoretical predictions.

...read moreread less

Abstract: This paper discusses the discounted utility (DU) model: its historical development, underlying assumptions, and "anomalies" - the empirical regularities that are inconsistent with its theoretical predictions. We then summarize the alternate theoretical formulations that have been advanced to address these anomalies. We also review three decades of empirical research on intertemporal choice, and discuss reasons for the spectacular variation in implicit discount rates across studies. Throughout the paper, we stress the importance of distinguishing time preference, per se, from many other considerations that also influence intertemporal choices.

...read moreread less

5,242 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success.

[...]

June P. Tangney¹, Roy F. Baumeister², Angie Luzio Boone²•Institutions (2)

Case Western Reserve University¹, George Mason University²

01 Apr 2004-Journal of Personality

TL;DR: Tests for curvilinearity failed to indicate any drawbacks of so-called overcontrol, and the positive effects remained after controlling for social desirability, so low self-control is a significant risk factor for a broad range of personal and interpersonal problems.

...read moreread less

Abstract: What good is self-control? We incorporated a new measure of individual differences in self-control into two large investigations of a broad spectrum of behaviors. The new scale showed good internal consistency and retest reliability. Higher scores on self-control correlated with a higher grade point average, better adjustment (fewer reports of psychopathology, higher self-esteem), less binge eating and alcohol abuse, better relationships and interpersonal skills, secure attachment, and more optimal emotional responses. Tests for curvilinearity failed to indicate any drawbacks of so-called overcontrol, and the positive effects remained after controlling for social desirability. Low self-control is thus a significant risk factor for a broad range of personal and interpersonal problems.

...read moreread less

4,985 citations

Cites background or methods from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

...Many university students suffer from problems in impulse regulation, as has been widely documented (see Baumeister et al., 1994, for review). In particular, problems with regulating eating are prevalent, if not epidemic, among female university students, whereas surveys of male students suggest that many suffer from alcohol abuse problems (e.g., Heatherton, 1993; Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991; Johnston, O’Malley, & Bachman, 1991; Williamson, 1990). Regulating intake of food and drink is one of the most obvious and direct applications of self-control, and so we predicted that people high in self-control should exhibit fewer such problems. Several studies have linked impulse control problems to deficits in self-control. Storey (1999) concluded that poor self-regulation, as assessed by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, was an important predictor of heroin addiction. Wills, DuHamel, and Vaccaro (1995) found that self-control, as assessed by a scale they derived from a behavior rating scale by Kendall and Wilcox (1979), was an 276 Tangney et al....
[...]
...Many university students suffer from problems in impulse regulation, as has been widely documented (see Baumeister et al., 1994, for review)....
[...]
...For example, Baumeister et al. (1994) identified four major domains of selfcontrol—controlling thoughts, emotions, impulses, and performance—which would be important to include in an overall index of self-control....
[...]
...Many university students suffer from problems in impulse regulation, as has been widely documented (see Baumeister et al., 1994, for review). In particular, problems with regulating eating are prevalent, if not epidemic, among female university students, whereas surveys of male students suggest that many suffer from alcohol abuse problems (e.g., Heatherton, 1993; Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991; Johnston, O’Malley, & Bachman, 1991; Williamson, 1990). Regulating intake of food and drink is one of the most obvious and direct applications of self-control, and so we predicted that people high in self-control should exhibit fewer such problems. Several studies have linked impulse control problems to deficits in self-control. Storey (1999) concluded that poor self-regulation, as assessed by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, was an important predictor of heroin addiction....
[...]
...Recent advances in self-control theory (see Carver & Scheier, 1981, 1998; also Baumeister et al., 1994; Muraven & Baumeister, 2000) suggest the need for developing new scales as opposed to relying on very old measures. For example, Baumeister et al. (1994) identified four major domains of selfcontrol—controlling thoughts, emotions, impulses, and performance—which would be important to include in an overall index of self-control....
[...]

Bad is stronger than good

[...]

Catrin Finkenauer, Peter Kerkhof

01 Jan 2007

TL;DR: This paper found that bad is stronger than good, as a general principle across a broad range of psychological phenomena, such as bad emotions, bad parents, bad feedback, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good.

...read moreread less

Abstract: The greater power of bad events over good ones is found in everyday events, major life events (e.g., trauma), close relationship outcomes, social network patterns, interpersonal interactions, and learning processes. Bad emotions, bad parents, and bad feedback have more impact than good ones, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good. The self is more motivated to avoid bad self-definitions than to pursue good ones. Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones. Various explanations such as diagnosticity and salience help explain some findings, but the greater power of bad events is still found when such variables are controlled. Hardly any exceptions (indicating greater power of good) can be found. Taken together, these findings suggest that bad is stronger than good, as a general principle across a broad range of psychological phenomena.

...read moreread less

4,933 citations

Collapse

Losing Control: How and Why People Fail at Self-Regulation

Citations

Cites background from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

Cites background from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

Cites background or methods from "Losing Control: How and Why People ..."

Related Papers (5)