Self Control Lecture

Self-Control

The tendency to act in one’s own best interests and make wise choices.

Willpower

What is the traditional view of self-control?

Skinner

Conflicting outcomes

Ainslie-Rachlin model

A model that describes the choice between immediate and delayed outcomes.

Temporal Issue of Reward

• smaller, sooner reward vs. larger, later reward​

• PBCs now vs. lose a little weight in the future​

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• smaller, sooner punisher vs. larger, later punisher​

• Pay fine now and be broke for a few days vs. pay fine late plus a late fee​

• predicts preference reversal!​

• also predicts solution to SC problems…​

​early commitment less “impulsive” ​

Hyperbolic Decay Model

• problems w/ SC involve conflicting outcomes​

• behaviors have good & bad consequences​

• for example, drinking (relaxation & hangover)

SC: engaging in responses that alter your own behavior

a person’s behavior can alter the environment

this is a controlling response & makes SC easier - e.g. don’t buy chocolate

Skinners View

Ainslie and Rachlin’s View

• self-control as a temporal issue​

• more heavily influenced by immediate consequences as opposed to delayed consequences​

Controlling Responses

• Physical Restraint​

• Stimulus Control​

• Depriving and Satiating​

• Distraction or Doing Something Else​

• Self-Reinforcement and Self-Punishment​

• Informing Others of your Goals​

• Monitoring Behavior​