Other factors

Question 1

Intelligence

Answer 1

Human and chimpanzee studies have shown that greater intelligence is linked to better self control. Shamosh + Gray (2008) found that children who delayed gratification (e.g., marshmallow test) tended to be smarter).

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

(Ridder et al., 2012) found that although reported levels of self control did not differ between the sexes, the effect of it did. Men tend to have stronger impulses of sex and aggression (Eagly, 1987).
Also shown in Gosling et al (2011), women were slightly more C and self-disciplined than men

Question 3

Age

Answer 3

Gosling et al (2011) With age, self-discipline increase (such that a 65 year old woman is more disciplined than 85% of adolescents)

Question 4

Practice

Answer 4

With the growing interest in self-control and it’s links to behavioural outcomes, research has been investigating whether it can be improved. Muraven (2010) found that participants practising small bouts of SC improved their self control

HOWEVER
it is unclear whether this was from practice or greater awareness of self control

Question 5

Mental Health

Answer 5

Silton et al (2011) investigated the area of the brain related to SC (prefrontal cortex).
With ego depletion - neurons fired slower
This brain activity was also detected in participants with generalised anxiety disorder / depression. (Can also explain why depressed people have limited attentional abilities)

Question 6

Situational factors

Answer 6

A person may have excellent self-control for particular domains (e.g., dieting) but shows little self-control when speaking their mind (e.g., angry outbursts). (Tangney, Baumeister and Boone, 2008).

Question 7

Physiology

Answer 7

Been drunk! Changes self-awareness and increases impulsivity

Question 8

Guilt (3)

Answer 8

Another personality construct that may be linked.

1. Baumeister, Stillwell + Heatherton (1995) assessed real-life accounts of experiences of guilt. They could all be exclusively categorised as interpersonal transgressions or failures of self-control.
2. Guilt is an adaptive response to failure, it is future oriented (like SC; Gottfredson + Hirschi, 1990) and apologetic approach.
3. Can explain why some who lack SC, and have impulsiveness (Dark Traid) are able to conduct themselves like they do - they lack guilt (Carter, Campbell and Muncer, 2014).

Question 9

Virtue

Answer 9

1. Roberts, Cherynchenko, Stark and Goldberg (2008) using a factor analysis identified Virtue as a lower-order facet of C.
2. Baumeister and Exline (2012) contended that SC is necessary to perform in a virtuous manner (to forego individualistic needs and wants in favour of the collectivist).
3. The 7 deadly sins are a result of SC failure
4. Ego depletion also effects virtue (people were more likely to cheat and steal when their will power was depleted; Mead et al., 2009).

Question 10

Attention

Answer 10

Mischel + Bakker (1973) believed that self-control was an attentional ability. For example, with delayed gratification tasks (e.g., Marshmellow Test), diverging attention to other things can reduce the impulses