Study Finds Confidence in Restraint May Indicate Risk of Succumbing
August 26th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Headline
Temptations, in myriad different forms, are available everywhere, often in copious amounts. To some people, temptation may take the form of a cigarette or stiff drink, while to others, a sweet snack or attractive person may represent the ultimate temptation. Most people are likely to report that they have a fairly high ability to resist temptation, but as a study recently performed at the Kellogg School suggests, those with strong convictions about such an ability are often the most likely to give in. Performing experiments based on substance addiction, food choices, and mental fatigue, the research team showed that people tend to overestimate their ability to resist, and that an excess of confidence may in fact yield poor results. The answer? The study offers the idea that a bit of humility may help make the greatest vices a little easier to avoid.
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6 comments so far
How strange that those who think they have the most self-control have the least. I know my limitations. If there’s a cheesecake in the fridge, I’ll eat it. The easiest thing to do is not buy the cheesecake than attempt resisting temptation.
“The confidence in Restraint” is part of the Human Defense Mechnism and how long term dysfunctional habits are difficult stop.People experiment with behaviors like smoking. The experience of relief is felt and the great feeling of relief is stored in the reward center of the brain, influencing them to do it again. Practicing the new behavior over time evolves into complex habits combined with a feeling of pleasure eventually evolving into automatic behaviors. 85 per cent of what we do is automatic. ho thinks of what shoe to put on first. It is the same foot every day. Try changing to the other foot tomorrow and see how comfortable you become. What this has to do with succumbing and constraint. To read more go to http://www.altbehave.com/changing-dysfunctional-habits/
hey everyone’s got a wild side. Accepting weakness is the best weapon to fight temptation. Sounding like a superhero gets you into deep shit.
Looks like being chicken is the new in-thing to stay sane.
restraint is required. Everything starts with a thought. Although we find it difficult to ward off temptation the thought of wanting to do so is important. At some point there definitely would be success even if it is after a few attempts.
is it not better if everyone gives into temptation in order to fathom how to fight it?