Taming the Impulsive Beast: Self-Control as Our Greatest Human Strength
When asked to consider their heroes, many people list inspirational figures who overcame tremendous odds to achieve success. Maybe they are Albert Einstein, Sally Ride, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King, Jr., or the Beatles. We place these people on pedestals because they share a common human strength: self-control. This talk discusses research that links self-control to individual, relational, and societal well-being. First, I define self-control and make a case for its role in personal, relationship, and societal well-being. Second, I discuss how self-control relies on a limited energy resource that becomes depleted after prior use. Third, I demonstrate the interplay between self-control and personality, biological, and social processes. Throughout the talk, I provide useful activities that challenge undergraduates to reconsider factors that contribute to their academic, personal, and relationship success.