Self-regulartion

Question 1

what is psychological hedonism?

Answer 1

descriptive claim stating that individuals seek pleasure

Question 2

Hedonism and self-control

Answer 2

Most forms of self-control involve denying impulses forcing self to do something contrasting hedonistic tendencies

Denying hedonistic feelings completely can have negative effect (ie refraining from drinking) –> failing at self-regulation

Question 3

What is regulation

Answer 3

modulation of thought, affect, behaviour or attention via mechanism skills.

Question 4

What are the 4 parts of a feedback loop?

Answer 4

Reference value (goals and standards)
Input
Comparator
Output

Question 5

What’s the first step in self-regulation process?

Answer 5

To have a clear and defined goal - self is made up from goals

Question 6

Discrepancy-reducing feedback loop (control system)

Answer 6

Reference value (goal)–>Comparator–>output (changes in next behaviour) –> Effect of environment –>Input (perception of present behaviour) –> comparator etc

Question 7

Problems within control system

Answer 7

• Concordance between goals (goals hard to obtain)
• Lack of know how
• Inability to disengage: give up unachievable goals

Question 8

3 Components of self-regulation

Answer 8

Standards, Monitoring, Strength

Question 9

Explain Standards (in self-regulation)

Answer 9

Abstract concepts of how things should be

Question 10

What is monitoring (in self-regulation)

Answer 10

loop requires monitoring of current circumstances (in test phase) - regulation only possible if you listen to this monitoring

Question 11

What is strength (in self-regulation)

Answer 11

Strength needed to override impulses with longterm goals

Question 12

Self-regulation and abnormal behaviour

Answer 12

Giving priority to mood control can involve using many pleasant distractors as regulators (ie alcohol, nicotine etc)