We think we need greater self-control to be happier. But a new study suggests the arrow of causation points the other way.

We have many avenues to distract us from our goals. Whether it is social media, the latest celebrity gossip or the phones in our pockets, modern society has built engaging systems for our ...

People often keep it a secret, but the urge to self-harm isn’t uncommon, especially in adolescents and young adults. Many ...

Self-control is the capacity to override one’s impulse or desire in order to attain another goal (Mischel, 2014). The alternative to exercising self-control is indulging in an action that momentarily ...

Having high self-control is often seen as a good thing. It’s believed to be key to success in many aspects of life—whether that’s getting a promotion at work, sticking to your workout regime, or ...

A new neuroscience twist on a classic psychology study offers some clues to what makes one student able to buckle down for hours of homework before a test while his classmates party. The study, ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Alison Escalante M.D. covers neurodiversity, pediatrics and parenting. In our never-ending search for happiness, researchers have ...

Self-control refers to the ability to resist impulses and conflicting desires in pursuit of goal-directed behaviors. For instance, a person who intends to lose weight must resist the temptation of ...

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Most of us know — and likely have envied — a list-making, highly productive co-worker who is quietly on task. As the epitome of self-restraint, this low-key colleague meets or ...