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Michael Inzlicht
Michael Inzlicht
How definitional confusion undermines the science of self-regulation
Psychology’s fascination with self-regulation has produced striking claims about its power to predict life outcomes, from health to wealth to academic success. But much of this science rests on shaky definitional ground. In this talk, I argue that confusion between key constructs—most notably between trait and state self-control, and between self-control and self-regulation—has caused much confusion. Take the distinction between trait and state self-control. Trait self-control, often measured with conscientiousness or grit or the trait self-control scale, robustly predicts positive outcomes, even decades later. State self-control, by contrast, refers to the momentary shaping of behaviour in the face of cognitive conflict. Yet evidence shows that people high in trait self-control do not spend more time engaging in state self-control, in fact, they report spending less time doing so. Data also confirm that trait and state measures of control barely correlate. A related problem arises when self-regulation is collapsed into self-control. Self-control refers to regulation under conflict, but many of the most effective forms of self-regulation are conflict-free, such as cultivating desires through the right kind of motivation. By equating the two, we overlook these processes and misidentify the true engines of behavior change. Clearer definitions are not pedantic; they are essential for a cumulative and useful science of self-regulation.
michaelinzlicht.com
Michael Inzlicht is a distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. He directs the Work and Play Lab, where he employs methods from social psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore the mental effort involved in achieving goals and the nature of leisure activities.
Elena Fischer
Elena Fischer
The Future in Focus: Linking Prospection and Self-Regulation in Theory and Practice
My talk will focus on the connection between prospection and self-regulation, both on a theoretical level and in practical work with clients and patients. Prospection refers to the cognitive ability to imagine personal future possibilities, while self-regulation encompasses the flexible control of behavior, emotions, and attention. Beyond exploring the theoretical relationship between the two constructs, the talk will highlight their fundamental importance for mental health. I will discuss the consequences of impairments in the ability to prospect and self-regulate, as often observed in mental disorders. Building on these theoretical foundations, I will present practice-oriented models that facilitate the adaptive integration of prospection and self-regulation and can serve as useful frameworks for therapy and coaching. Finally, specific exercises and tools that strengthen both prospection and self-regulation will be presented, including a demonstration of one exemplary exercise.
www.freiwilligenzentrum-salzburg.at
Elena Fischer is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Salzburg. She has contributed significantly to the field of prospection, which involves the ability to imagine and plan for the future. Her research focuses on understanding how prospection impacts psychological well-being and emotion regulation.
Nicola Baumann
Nicola Baumann
How my self regulates my own feelings, thoughts, and actions
The self is a vital source of human functioning that helps people to regulate their own feelings, thoughts, and actions (Kuhl et al., 2018; Quirin et al., 2021). But what exactly is the self? How can we measure the self? And how can we train the ability for self-regulation? In my talk, I will address these questions through the framework theory of Personality Systems Interactions (PSI; Kuhl, 2000, 2001; Kuhl et al., 2020). I will define the self as a central-executive system, distinguish self-regulation from ego-control, and review empirical findings on its role in maintaining initiative in the face of difficulty (action control), learning from negative experiences (self-growth), and selecting motive-congruent goals (self-congruence) - central competencies of a fully functioning personality (Baumann & Kuhl, 2021; Kuhl & Baumann, 2021). Finally, I will address the developmental trias that explains how the ability to self-regulate emotions develops in good relationships (Kuhl, 2024).
Nicola Baumann is a professor of psychology at the University of Trier, specializing in personality psychology, motivation, and self-regulation. Her research focuses on how individuals access and regulate their inner motives, emotions, and goals—often through the lens of Personality Systems Interactions (PSI) theory.
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