TITLE

What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control

DESCRIPTION

What an excellent series of articles that flow together to provide a broad picture of our commonly used concept of “will power.”   When the term is discussed it is often used synonymously as “determination, drive, resolve, self-discipline, self-control.”  There are many ways to understand the concept and how it involves our every day beliefs about our own behaviors.  “Many people believe they could improve their lives if only they had more of that mysterious thing called willpower. With more self-control we would all eat right, exercise regularly, avoid drugs and alcohol, save for retirement, stop procrastinating, and achieve all sorts of noble goals… At its essence, willpower is the ability to resist short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals.”  The article clarifies how researchers and those who work with individuals use and define the term “will power.”

The reading is actually a series of articles that flow together.  Do not be discouraged in that the article seems long — the INTRODUCTION is sufficient  for the understanding the concept.  If you are interested in the further readings, then scroll down through the listed topics beyond the Introduction in the article that deal with the “will power and the delay of gratification, “will power as a resource,” “will power and healthy behaviors,” “Willpower, poverty, and financial decision-making,” and “strengthening willpower.”

The article can be used along with the text chapters on motivation, emotion, Positive Psychology, and personality.

SOURCE

American Psychological Association

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.apa.org/topics/personality/willpower

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•How is “will power” defined in the article?  Focus specifically on the three components listed by way of the researcher Roy Baumeister, PhD.

•In general, what do individuals believe about their own behaviors if they had “more willpower”?

•If you were giving a lecture to an Introductory Psychology class on the topic of self-motivation, what would you explain to them about will power and how to achieve their desired goals?