More than resisting temptation: Beneficial habits mediate the relationship between self-control and positive life outcomes.

Why does self-control predict such a wide array of positive life outcomes? Conventional wisdom holds that self-control is used to effortfully inhibit maladaptive impulses, yet this view conflicts with emerging evidence that self-control is associated with less inhibition in daily life. We propose that one of the reasons individuals with better self-control use less effortful inhibition, yet make better progress on their goals is that they rely on beneficial habits. Across 6 studies (total N = 2,274), we found support for this hypothesis. In Study 1, habits for eating healthy snacks, exercising, and getting consistent sleep mediated the effect of self-control on both increased automaticity and lower reported…

• BA
  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

  Award: OPP1046454
• MA
  Mind and Life Institute
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: 5-K01-AG033182-02