My area of research revolves around the concept of self-control as a virtue and
a predictor of successful living (Moffitt et al., 2011). Self-control is just as a
reliable predictor of future outcomes as intelligence and socioeconomic status
(Duckworth & Gross, 2014). It is defined as one’s ability to restrain unwanted
behaviors by suppressing impulses related to immediate gratification and
substituting these impulses with a choice that ponders the long-term impact of
each alternative (Duckworth & Gross, 2014; Mamayek et al., 2017).
c c c Although aware of the importance of self-regulatory skills in modern
society, Wolters’ (2005) discussion of the Grand Narrative opened my eyes to
the weight self-control has had in the past. In particular, how the perfect world
became contaminated with evil during the fall and Adam and Eve’s first sin
(Wolters, 2005). As a negative term, only something good first can become evil
(Sproul, 2000). Hence, the impact of the fall on secular activities.
c c c More recently, it has been established by behavioral geneticists the notable
influence of nature and nurture on self-control (Moffitt et al., 2011). God has
gifted humanity with free will and perfect liberty, and as a result of the original
sin, perfect liberty was lost but not free will (Sproul, 2000). God’s given free will
is a perfect example of our natural potential to sin (posse peccare) or not to
sin (posse non peccare) (Sproul, 2000). On the other hand, Adam and Eve’s
choice to disobey God’s only rule and eat the forbidden fruit can be perceived
as the nurture’s (the serpent) influence on self-control (King James Bible,
1769/2017, Genesis 3).
c c c An issue that originated hundreds of thousands of years ago is just as
relevant today as it was during humanity’s inception. The lack of self-control
from Adam and Eve led to a catastrophic rise in societal, cultural, and personal
distortions (Wolters, 2005). Nowadays, these distortions can be greatly observed
in the rising criminality, addictions, and overall sins. Understanding the origin of
self-control issues can assist psychologists in exploring possible interventions
for a recurring matter in humanity. With free will (nature), self-control will likely
continue to be a challenge for humanity, making the environment (nurture) a
more viable segment of consideration for developing strategies to increase self-
control.
References
Duckworth, A. L., & Gross, J. J. (2014). Self-control and grit: Related but
separable determinants of success. Current Directions in Psychological Science,
23(5), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414541462
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)
Mamayek, C., Paternoster, R., & Loughran, T. A. (2017). Self-control as self-
regulation: A return to control theory. Deviant Behavior, 38(8), 895-916.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1206730
Moffitt, T.E., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D., Dickson, N., Hancox, R. J., Harrington, H.,
Houts, R., Poulton, R., Roberts, B. W., Ross, S., Sears, M. R., Thomson, W. M., &
Caspi, A. (2011). A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth,
and public safety. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7),
2693-2698.
Sproul, R.C. (2000). The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that
Shaped our World. Crossway.
Wolters, A.M. (2005). Creation Regained (2nd ed.). William B. Eerdmans
Publishing.
