ABSTRACT
People are constantly at risk of being distracted from obtaining long-term goals by impulses that compel them to do otherwise. People often experience the desire to eat unhealthy foods, drink too much alcohol, forgo tooth flossing, and lie around on the sofa all day. People frequently experience the urge to lash out at obnoxious drivers, irritating coworkers, and family members. Self-control allows people to resist these impulses and act in accordance with long-term goals. Self-control is “the ability to regulate current thoughts, feelings, and behavior to secure future benefits” (De Ridder, Adriaanse, & Fujita, Chapter 1 of this volume).
