Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
2-2016
Abstract
To what extent do people view self-control as central to achieving a healthy, high-quality life? While scientific evidence strongly supports the notion that self-control is associated with successful adaptation and optimal functioning, we examine whether individuals connect this trait with positive outcomes. In Study 1, participants rated the likelihood that an individual with high self-control (or self-esteem) would experience good health and a high-quality life. Studies 2-3 experimentally portrayed a target person as high or low in self-control (and self-esteem) before participants rated the target on an array of positive outcomes. Across studies, self-control was perceived as less strongly connected with a high-quality life than self-esteem. Mediation analyses suggest that people link self-esteem (but not self-control) with healthy behaviors that, in turn, lead to superior perceived physical and psychological health. While self-esteem is strongly associated with lay concepts of the good life, the importance of self-control may be comparatively under-recognized.
Keywords
good life, flourishing, self-control, self-esteem, life quality, lay theories
Discipline
Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
Journal of Positive Psychology
Volume
11
Issue
6
First Page
572
Last Page
583
ISSN
1743-9760
Identifier
10.1080/17439760.2016.1152503
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
Embargo Period
2-28-2017
Citation
WIRTZ, Derrick, STALLS, Juliann, SCOLLON, Christie N., & WUENSCH, Karl L..(2016). Is the good life characterized by self-control? Perceived regulatory success and judgments of life quality. Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(6), 572-583.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2014
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1152503