Go Back Research Article April, 2010

Longitudinal Improvement of Self-Regulation Through Practice: Building Self-Control Strength Through Repeated Exercise

Author Roy F. Baumeister Author Mark Muraven Author Dianne M. Tice

Abstract

This study examined the results of repeated exercises of self-control in relation to self-regulatory strength over time. A sample of 69 U.S. college students spent 2 weeks doing 1 of 3 self-control exercises: monitoring and improving posture, regulating mood, or monitoring and recording eating. Compared with a no-exercise control group, the participants who performed the self-control exercises showed significant improvement in self-regulatory capacity as measured by quitting faster on a hand-grip exercise task following a thought-suppression exercise.

Keywords

Self-Regulation Self-Control Strength Repeated Exercise Self-Regulatory Capacity Thought-Suppression Exercise Posture Monitoring Mood Regulation Eating Monitoring Longitudinal Improvement Behavioral Training Self-Control Exercises Hand-Grip Task Capacity Building Self-Control Enhancement College Students Improvement Over Time
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Details
Volume 139
Issue 4
Pages 446-457
DOI 10.1080/00224549909598404
ISSN 1940-1183
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