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Self control and it's consequences
concept of self control
concept of self control
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Nearly everyone in the modern world has heard of the term self-control, a seemingly non-important or uninteresting topic of interest. However, self-control has been related to having one of the most significant impacts on a person. Even some have gone as far to say that self-control is the “biggest predictor of a successful and satisfying life” (Pinker 1), which are bold words for a topic that many merely disregard. The idea of self-control is a concept coined in the Victorian era, and appears immensely throughout the novel, Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, written by R.F. Baumeister & J. Tierney. Essentially a self-help book, ‘Willpower’ provides explanations for why humans are doing the things that they do, and why people aren’t always as virtuous as they may be expected to be. Self-control affects many facets of a person’s life, and by looking at how it is presented in psychology, and in Baumeister and Tierney’s novel, Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, one will see the correlations and differences between modern research and historical perspectives on the idea of self-control, and ultimately decide if the idea of self-control is an inherent trait or a learned condition. Self-control is a topic and concept argued frequently in the psychological world. Some believe that self-control is an innate feature of human kind, while others, like Baumeister, believe it is a characteristic that can be practiced and strengthened. Baumeister’s model of willpower describes self-control as a muscle that can be depleted and replenished, just as any other muscle in the body. What is self-control exactly? Well, Freud was a psychologist who believed that personality is a biological component of ones-self,... ... middle of paper ... ...Virtue, Personality, and Social Relations: Self-Control as the Moral Muscle." Journal of Personality 67.6 (1999): 1165-194. Print. Davis, Doug. "A Glossary of Freudian Terminology." A Freud Glossary. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. . Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. . Pinker, Steven. "The Sugary Secret of Self-Control." NY Times. Sept.-Oct. 2011. Web. 4 Mar. 2012. "The Science of Self-Control [Paperback]." Amazon.com: The Science of Self-Control (9780674013575): Howard Rachlin: Books. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. . "Self Control in Society, Mind, and Brain." Alibris. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. .
Freud, S., Strachey, J., Freud, A., Rothgeb, C., & Richards, A. (1953). The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (1st ed.). London: Hogarth Press.
Focusing on Strawson’s position on the notion of free will, he points out the argument of the pessimists, who believe that the reason why one can be responsible for what one does is because one’s self is sometime independent of one’s general mental state (). Strawson debunks this by presenting the fact that they are not recognizing the importance of the self or “the agent self”. He states,
Perhaps one of the most profound needs of humans is having control. Control gives not only satisfaction but also a sense of relief that things are going to go the way one has planned. In the evolutionary perspective, having a control for one’s environment results to better survivability. The loss of control on the other hand provides a cramped stress to gain control. It proves to be one of the needs that certainly ranks in the top of the hierarchy. Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, and Steven Galloway’s The Cellist of Sarajevo, shows the human struggle for control and what they would do to grasp it. Both literary pieces show that inclination towards having control. Humans, although impossible, have an inner desire to control everything.
Sigmund Freud provides a concept of how a person’s personality is structured and to have a healthy personality requires a balance in the interaction between the id, ego, and superego. Bandura’s theory of observational learning plays a vital role in the persons conditioning process. By understanding the basis of observational learning that includes modeling, disinhibition, and trolling, one can recognize the different types of reinforcements that contribute to how one learns and then behaves in situations throughout their life. The experience and knowledge of self-discovery comes gradually without an instantaneous impact. Although, moments of true realization can give one a release from past insecurities, doubt, and shame just to name a few. Such realizations can change how one views or feels about their past, which includes their choices, successes, failures, and the different relationships they have had from birth to the present. In conclusion, one should invest in getting to know their own personality to educate themselves and receive the benefits of a healthy state of mental
Ryon, H. S., & Gleason, M. E. J. (2013). The role of locus of control in daily life. Personality
Examples of self-control, or lack thereof, are displayed in the life of the carpenter and Ahab and Pip’s slide from sanity. The blacksmith, as told through his back-story, has become a blacksmith on whale boat after losing everything he owned, including a wife and three children, due to alcoholism. Alcohol, in the most cunning disguise, came in like a “desperate burglar” (Melville 458) and took everything from him. Ahab and Pip succumb to insanity after near death experiences that leave them bewildered at the unknown world. In each of these cases, they have the ability to control themselves to a certain point. After which, after they have “pushed off from that insular Tahiti” (Melville 271), then they are no longer able to control their own
One is often influenced and criticized by close peers. Because of this constant speculation and concern for others, people turn trivial decisions into difficult life altering battles. Even in solitude one’s conscious is a constant—and dogmatic—observer. The idea of even having to make a choice has escaladed into a tyrannical monster. To take back control, Montaigne advises individuals to look inward. He proposes people discipline themselves in “a back shop all our own”(Montaigne 214) because “it would be madness to trust [one]self if [one] do[es] not know how to govern [one’s] self” (Montaigne 221). In solitude—”free from the violent clutches that engage” (Montaigne 216)—one must go so far in discipline that he “dare not trip up in your own presence” (Montaigne 221). By doing this, individuals respect their decision, trusting it the most beneficial and appropriate to the situation.
When I succeeded in refraining from biting my nails the first day I was filled with great pride as I knew it was because of my own ability and restraint. This coincides with the idea that I have always had an internal locus of control.
“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the high road to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.” (5)
Langer, E. J. (1975). The illusion of control. Journal of personality and social psychology, 32(2), 311.
Self-discipline is that of an individual to choose the hard right over the easy wrong when nobody
Who am I? What am I? Where am I going? These questions have baffled the minds of humankind for centuries, since man was able to evolve a concept of self and consider his own nature. Man has come a long way since that day, but has no further answers in the quest for "Self-Concept". Who we are is, and always will be a reflection of different yet individual societies and environments in which we live. The roles we play in our specific societies give us a place of belonging and self. The self as an entity exists on two levels: mental and physical.
Park, C. L., Wright, B. E., Pais, J., & Ray, D. M. (2016). Daily Stress and Self-Control., 35, 738-753.
Self-regulation is a theory of human behavior involving cognitive, affective, motivational, and behavioral components and it refers to self generated thoughts, feelings and actions that are planned and cyclically adapted to the attainment of personal goals (Boekaerts, Pintrich & Zeidner, 2005). Self-regulation is a continuing process that occurs both consciously and unconsciously that affect the ability to control responses (Strauman, Kolden, Stromquist, Davis, Kwapil, Heerey & Schneider, 2001). It is a skill that has overarching effects on an individual’s ability to tolerate unmet wants or needs, handle disappointments and failures, and work towards success. Hence, self-regulation refers to the
Many people believe they could improve their lives if only they had more willpower. If you had more self-control you would eat better, exercise more often, avoid doing drugs and consuming alcohol, save more money for retirement, stop procrastinating on important tasks, and achieve our ambitions. This could help improve our lifestyle.