Self-Control: Individual Differences and What They Mean for Personal Responsibility and Public Policy

Good self-control is a crucial factor in the distribution of life outcomes, ranging from success at school and work, to good mental and physical health, and to satisfying romantic relationships. While in the last decades psychologists have learned much about this all-important trait, both social theory and politics have not caught up. Many academics and policymakers still seem to believe that everybody has unlimited capacity for self-control and that maintaining discipline is purely a matter of volition. This book shows that such beliefs are fundamentally mistaken. It presents the state-of-the-art in research on self-control, explains why this trait has been largely overlooked, and sets out the profound implications of this psychological research for moral responsibility, distributive justice and public policy. It shows that the growing emphasis in politics on 'personal responsibility' is deeply problematic, and outlines alternatives more in accord with human psychology.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction; Part I. Self- Control: 2. A gift for life; 3. How situation undermines self-control; 4. Building self-control?; 5. The value of the future; 6. The self-control effects of poverty; Part II: …And Its Implications for Society and Politics: 7. The ever-growing importance of self-control; 8. Self-control and moral responsibility; 9. Who should get what?; 10. Conclusion: what is to be done?; Appendix to chapter 3; Acknowledgement; Bibliography; Index; Notes.

About the Author :
W. L. Tiemeijer is Professor of Behavioural Science and Public Policy at Erasmus University Rotterdam and a Senior Research Fellow at the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy, The Hague.

Review :
'A comprehensive analysis of the research on individual and social variation in self-control. The analysis of the psychology of self-control is integrated with state-of-the-art discussions of its implications for the philosophical problems of free will, responsibility, and desert. A field-crossing masterpiece that will be of interest to psychologists, economists, public policy experts, and philosophers.' Owen Flanagan, Duke University, author of How to do Things with Emotions 'A fascinating discussion - sophisticated, fact-filled, and incredibly useful. Exercise self-control and get this book!' Cass R. Sunstein, Harvard University, author of Too Much Information 'Self-control is one of the most powerful and important traits, contributing to both individual and society-wide success. This is a thoughtful, readable, persuasive book about the power of self-control both in the psychology of individuals and in enabling society to function better. Beautifully written and full of interesting information, it is a terrific resource both for the casual interested reader and the expert researcher.' Roy F. Baumeister, University of Queensland, author of The Self Explained: Why and How We Become Who We Are 'The book is useful for all readers, especially those interested in social/psychological aspects of public policy and readers who need an applied understanding of self-control in working with clients. … Highly recommended.' R. E. Osborne, Choice