(C8894) Self-Regulation: Essential Reading, Week 4
Everyday temptations: An experience sampling study of desire,
conflict, and self-control
Hofmann, W., Baumeister, R. F., Förster, G., & Vohs, K. D. (2012). Everyday
temptations: An experience sampling study of desire, conflict, and self-control. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 102(6), 1318-1335.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0026545
Key Terms
Motivation Focusing behaviour towards obtaining success and satisfaction
(Page 1319)
Introduction
The requirements of living with other people according to the rules of society
involve extensive levels of self-control to redirect urges and desires (e.g.,
Baumeister & Exline, 1999). (Page 1319)
Conceptual Framework
Integrates desire, conflict, resistance (use of self-control), and enactment. (Page
1319)
Resistance involves a person’s effort to prevent themselves from carrying out on
their desire. (Page 1319)
Some level of effortful intervention (e.g., self-control) is needed to solve conflicts
surrounding goal-directed behaviour. (Page 1319)
(Strength) Framework can assess how a particular personality/situational factor
affects self-regulation. (Page 1320)
Personality and Self-Control
The behavioural activation system (BAS) can be compared to the engine of
behaviour. (Page 1320)
The behavioural inhibition system (BIS) can be compared to the engine’s brakes.
(Gray, 1982; 1987)
Two predictions of trait self-control:
i. People low in self-control will encounter more conflicted desires than those
high in self-control. (Page 1320)
ii. Alternatively, trait self-control may work by establishing effective routines
rather than resisting temptation. (Page 1321)
Perfectionism can be described as a maladaptive tendency to misuse self-
regulatory capabilities. (Page 1321)
Narcissistic entitlement reflects the attitude that an individual should have what
they want, which may be because they feel they are a superior individual. (Page
1321)
State and Situational Factors
Alcohol consumption can reduce level of self-control (e.g., Hofmann & Friese,
2008). (Page 1321)
Presence of others may increase self-awareness (Duval & Wicklund, 1972), which
could lead to increased resistance to socially unacceptable decisions, therefore
increasing self-control. (Page 1321)
Work and public settings may be more restraining than individual’s own homes.
