Construal levels and self-control

Kentaro Fujita, Yaacov Trope, Nira Liberman, Maya Levin-Sagi, Kentaro Fujita, Yaacov Trope, Nira Liberman, Maya Levin-Sagi

Abstract

The authors propose that self-control involves making decisions and behaving in a manner consistent with high-level versus low-level construals of a situation. Activation of high-level construals (which capture global, superordinate, primary features of an event) should lead to greater self-control than activation of low-level construals (which capture local, subordinate, secondary features). In 6 experiments using 3 different techniques, the authors manipulated construal levels and assessed their effects on self-control and underlying psychological processes. High-level construals led to decreased preferences for immediate over delayed outcomes, greater physical endurance, stronger intentions to exert self-control, and less positive evaluations of temptations that undermine self-control. These results support a construal-level analysis of self-control.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dollar values by levels and time (Experiment 1).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Behavioral intentions by level, cost, and benefit value (Experiment 3b).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Evaluations of temptations and nontemptations by level and value (Experiment 4).

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Source: PubMed

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