Go Back Research Article November, 2009

Self-Regulation Failure: An Overview

Author Roy F. Baumeister Author Todd F. Heatherton

Abstract

The major patterns of self-regulatory failure are reviewed. Underregulation occurs because of deficient standards, inadequate monitoring, or inadequate strength. Misregulation occurs because of false assumptions or misdirected efforts, especially an unwarranted emphasis on emotion. The evidence supports a strength (limited resource) model of self-regulation and suggests that people often acquiesce in losing control. Loss of control of attention, failure of transcendence, and various lapse-activated causes all contribute to regulatory failure.

Keywords

Self-Regulation Failure Underregulation Misregulation Limited Resource Model Self-Control Regulatory Failure Emotional Regulation Strength Model Attention Control Transcendence Failure Lapse-Activated Causes Impulse Control Self-Regulatory Processes Self-Regulatory Strength Self-Regulatory Standards
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Volume 7
Issue 1
Pages 1-15
DOI 10.1207/s15327965pli0701_1
ISSN 1532-7965
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