Desire

Abstract

Traditionally, self-control research has put a strong focus on the mechanisms that support the control of behavior in the face of temptation. This emphasis in the field has led to some neglect of desire as an impelling force that needs to be controlled. However, the focus appears to be shifting, as recent research has led to novel insights into the nature of desire. In this review, we integrate these insights into how desire emerges, how it operates, and how it may best be controlled. Drawing on competitiveaccess models of working memory and dynamical reprocessing models, we highlight, among other factors, the role of top-down attentional resources in preventing the early conscious processing and subsequent escalation of desire.

“Facebocrastination”? Predictors of using Facebook for procrastination and its effects on students’ well-being

“…Thus, the second goal of our research is to investigate whether impulsive media selection is a further predictor of procrastinatory Facebook use, operating as an antagonist to the selfcontrol efforts of limiting one's media use when working on intended tasks. Recent research indicates that self-control failure is often driven by strong impulsive desires that overwhelm individuals' self-control ability (Heatherton & Wagner, 2011;Hofmann & van Dillen, 2012;Hofmann, Kotabe, & Luhmann, 2013). Such impulsive behavior is particularly likely when individuals are confronted with stimuli that elicit strong automatic reactions.…”

Motivation and self‐regulation: The role of want‐to motivation in the processes underlying self‐regulation and self‐control

“…For the past several decades, the most prominent theory of self-control has been the dual-process model, which pits immediate impulses against broader, long-term goals (e.g., Hofmann, Friese, & Strack, 2009;James, 1890;Metcalfe & Mischel, 1999). The impulses arise from the immediate hedonic value of a specific stimulus, leading to an automatic inclination to perform a behaviour aimed at satisfying the desire (Hofmann et al, 2009;Hofmann & Van Dillen, 2012). Although acting on our desires is not inherently bad (Kopetz, Woerner, & Briskin, 2018), it becomes problematic when they interfere with our longer-term goals and can have negative consequences on long-term health and well-being (e.g., De Ridder, Lensvelt-Mulders, Finkenauer, Stok, & Baumeister, 2012;Duckworth & Seligman, 2005).…”

Self-Control in School-Age Children

“…Intervening earlier in the process is higher leverage in that doing so influences downstream stages within a given iteration of the situation-attentionappraisal-response loop as well as subsequent iterations thereof (for similar arguments, see Hofmann & Kotabe, 2012;Hofmann & Van Dillen, 2012;Magen & Gross, 2010;Sheppes & Gross, 2011). Therefore, the situation we choose to be in causally influences where we direct our attention; in turn, where we direct our attention influences how we appraise our situation; and this appraisal then helps determine how we respond.…”