Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T18:29:54.365Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Self-control from a multiple goal perspective of mixed reward options

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2021

Zita Mayer  and
Alexandra M. Freund Open the ORCID record for Alexandra M. Freund [Opens in a new window]
Zita Mayer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050Zurich, Switzerland. [email protected], [email protected]
Alexandra M. Freund
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050Zurich, Switzerland. [email protected], [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We introduce a distinct type of choice that has yet to be addressed by self-control research: Choosing between activities that offer both delayed and immediate rewards. We describe when and why such mixed-reward choices pose challenges to self-control, and suggest that self-control in mixed-reward choices may be supported (rather than undermined) by delay discounting.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 44 , 2021 , e48
Check for updates
Creative Commons
The target article and response article are works of the U.S. Government and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States.
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Berkman, E. T., Hutcherson, C. A., Livingston, J. L., Kahn, L. E., & Inzlicht, M. (2017). Self-control as value-based choice. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(5), 422–428.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Freund, A. M., Knecht, M., & Wiese, B. S. (2014). Multidomain engagement and self-reported psychosomatic symptoms in middle-aged women and men. Gerontology, 60, 255–262. doi: 10.1159/000358756.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoch, S. J., & Loewenstein, G. F. (1991). Time-inconsistent preferences and consumer self-control. Journal of Consumer Research, 17(4), 492–507.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, Z., & Freund, A. M. (2020). Take a Break from Your Goals? Antecedents and Consequences of Goal Shelving. Manuscript in preparation.Google Scholar
Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., & Rodriguez, M. I. (1989). Delay of gratification in children. Science (New York, N.Y.), 244, 933–938.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rheinberg, F. (1989). Zweck und Taetigkeit. Motivationspsychologische Analysen zur Handlungsveranlassung [Goal and activity. Motivational psychology analyses of action initiation]. Goettingen: Hogrefe.Google Scholar
Riediger, M., & Freund, A. M. (2004). Interference and facilitation among personal goals: Differential associations with subjective well-being and persistent goal pursuit. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1511–1523. doi: 10.1177/0146167204271184.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thaler, R. H., & Shefrin, H. M. (1981). An economic theory of self-control. Journal of Political Economy, 89(2), 392–406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2016). For the fun of it: Harnessing immediate rewards to increase persistence in long-term goals. Journal of Consumer Research, 42(6), 952–966.CrossRefGoogle Scholar