Self-regulation (psychology)

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In psychology, self-regulation is a collective term for abilities with which people control their attention , emotions , impulses and actions . The common denominator of models of self-regulation in psychology is that people are able to control their own behavior with regard to self-set goals. This can be done consciously or unconsciously.

general definition

Self-regulation includes, among other things, the mental handling of one's own feelings and moods (see emotion regulation ) and the ability to realize intentions through targeted and realistic action ( implementation strength or willpower ). The competence to subordinate short-term satisfaction wishes to longer-term goals ( delayed reward ) is also part of this. A high expectation of self-efficacy can have a supportive effect.

Well-developed skills for self-regulation require intact executive functions (in neuropsychological parlance) . The terms self-regulation and self-control are mostly used as synonyms .

Ronald Grossarth-Maticek defines self-regulation as "a permanent, flexible, needs-based self-activation in relation to the body and the physical and social environment with the aim of achieving the conditions and states that both a short-term need gratification permit as well as a self-organization stabilize such that a development and integration of different areas for effective problem solving is guaranteed. "

Functions of self-regulation

An essential goal in the upbringing and socialization process of children is the ability to control oneself increasingly independently, i.e. without the support of caregivers or caregivers. One of the earliest socialization processes in this regard is toilet training . The older children get, the more they are expected to observe social norms and role requirements in their behavior , to take on tasks and to be able to control their actions in a goal-oriented manner. In addition, the development of certain psychological competencies, such as B. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are required.

In psychotherapy, Frederick Kanfer developed self-management therapy , which aims to help the patient to (re) take control of their own behavior so that they can cope with problems independently. This self-management includes various skills, such as self-observation of the desired and undesired behavior, stimulus control to influence behavior through to self-management as a guide to one's own therapist.

For mental illness

People differ in skills and style of self-control. In the case of various mental disorders such as addiction (addiction), obsessive-compulsive disorder , attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder or borderline personality disorder , the self-regulatory skills are limited, with the result that an independent lifestyle, e.g. T. is significantly affected.

Psychological theories

Basics

Self-regulation is often used as a synonym for volition or willpower . The principle of self-regulation was developed from the paradigms of homeostasis and cybernetics by Frederick Kanfer , Paul Karoly and Albert Bandura, among others , in the 1970s.

In contrast to control , regulation is based on the feedback of the deviation of the setpoint from the actual value so that the system can achieve the target. Rainer Klinke and co-authors illustrate this connection with the following example: Steering means what a seaman does when he steers the ship in the direction in which the destination is located. However, this is only possible in the unrealistic case in which there are no disruptive obstacles, currents and changed wind directions. Rather, the captain must repeatedly compare the actual position with the desired position and thus correct the course. This supplementation of the control by feedback of what has been achieved is called regulation. If the setpoint is specified externally, the system has to adapt by changing its behavior; it has to learn. Another form of learning is when systems derive their target values ​​from changes in the environment. For this they need a memory or a memory for experiences, which they use for future behavior. Thus, according to Eran Magen and James Gross, the term self-regulation encompasses the skills

  1. to set goals independently,
  2. determine the difference between the target and the actual state,
  3. plan, select and carry out appropriate actions,
  4. to provide appropriate "rewards" and finally
  5. to equip the system with the required energy ( activation ).

Examples of the practical application of this principle to human behavior are the concepts of volition in psychology and management (see Volition (psychology) and Volition (management) ).

Model after Kanfer

Frederick Kanfer assumes that self-regulation always begins when a person wants to achieve a goal and obstacles arise on the way, or when a familiar flow of behavior is interrupted. In both cases, the person concerned turns his attention to his behavior. Pp. 37-38. The main components of the Kanfer self-regulation model are: p. 38

This process can be run through several times until a reaction meets personal standards.

This - originally linear - model has been revised several times since 1970. There were feedback introduced loops (comparison of reaction, consequences and situation with standards and previous experience), so it is not longer a purely sequential model. In addition, the role of was attribution processes (d. E. The judgment of the person if the problem is at all influenced by their behavior) as well as expectations and fears ( anticipation considered) with. Pp. 37-41.

A special case of self-regulation is self-control . According to Kanfer, this is used when it is a question of behavior alternatives that are conflicting for the person and they - without external pressure - choose the behavior alternative with the lower probability of occurrence (e.g. refusing a cigarette despite the desire for it). This does not describe a personality trait (“ willpower ”), but a specific behavior in a certain situation. However, both internal aspects (such as motivation , physical factors) and environmental factors (e.g. social norms) play a major role in triggering and maintaining the behavior . Pp. 41-43.

The model of self-regulation forms an important theoretical basis for the self-management therapy developed by Kanfer . P. 43.

Other models

  • The reward deferral paradigm of Mischel
  • Theory of self-regulation by Bandura
  • PSI theory according to Kuhl
  • In Fritz Heider's balance theory, the homeostatic principle states that people adjust their attitudes to their communication partner depending on their liking / dislike.
  • The Gestalt therapy assumes that the human organism is able, within its environment (the "field") all processes that are important for its conservation and for its growth to regulate itself. The Gestalt therapy draws on the results of Gestalt psychology and the work of the neurologist Kurt Goldstein and transfers them to the realm of the organism. Goldstein emphasizes that for the organism in dealing with the environment it is necessary that “every change in the organism caused by the environmental stimuli is balanced out again in a certain time, so that the organism returns to that 'medium' state of excitement, that corresponds to its essence, is 'adequate' to it. "

Neurobiological Findings

The ability to delay reward was examined in humans by comparing failures after brain injuries (e.g. stroke ) and by imaging tests in healthy individuals. A network of different brain regions is involved, but the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) plays a central role. Damage in this area increases the likelihood that an instant, small reward will be chosen. It is believed that this area of ​​the brain is involved in impact assessment or forward thinking.

See also

literature

  • Roy F. Baumeister, Kathleen D. Vohs (eds.): Handbook of Self-Regulation. Guilford Press, 2004.
  • C. Eichhorn: Confident through self-coaching. A guide not only for managers. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen, 2002, ISBN 3-525-49004-6 .
  • Peter Geißler (Ed.): What is self-regulation? A position assessment. Psychosozial-Verlag, Giessen 2004.
  • Ronald Grossarth-Maticek : Self -Regulation , Autonomy and Health. Disease factors and social health resources in the socio-psycho-biological system. Walter de Gruyter, 2003, ISBN 3-11-017495-2 .
  • FH Kanfer, H. Reinecker, D. Schmelzer: Self-management therapy: a textbook for clinical practice. 5., corr. and through Edition. Springer, Berlin / New York 2012, ISBN 978-3-642-19365-1 .
  • Walter Mischel: The Marshmallow Test: Willpower, Delayed Rewards and the Development of Personality . German translation by Thorsten Schmidt. Siedler Verlag, Munich 2015, ISBN 978-3-641-11927-0 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Self-regulation in DORSCH Lexicon of Psychology
  2. ↑ Ronald Grossarth-Maticek: Autonomy Training: Health and Problem Solving by Stimulating Self-Regulation de Gruyter Verlag 2000
  3. ↑ Ronald Grossarth-Maticek: Self-regulation, autonomy and health. Disease factors and social health resources in the socio-psycho-biological system Walter de Gruyter, 2003, ISBN 3-11-017495-2 , p. 38.
  4. ↑ Christian Reimer et al: Psychotherapy. 3. Edition. Heidelberg 2007.
  5. ^ Howard Leventhal, Elaine A. Leventhal, Richard J. Contrada: Self-regulation, health, and behavior: A perceptual-cognitive approach. In: Psychology & Health. 13, 1998, p. 717, doi : 10.1080 / 08870449808407425 .
  6. ↑ GS Shields, WG Moons, GM Slavich: Inflammation, Self-Regulation, and Health: An Immunologic Model of Self-Regulatory Failure. In: Perspectives on psychological science: a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. Volume 12, number 4, 07 2017, pp. 588-612, doi : 10.1177 / 1745691616689091 , PMID 28679069 , PMC 5519413 (free full text) (review).
  7. ↑ R. Klinke, H.-C. Pape, S. Silbernagl (Ed.): Physiology. 5th edition. Stuttgart / New York 2005.
  8. ↑ Eran Magen, James Gross: The cybernetic process model of self-control. and Paul Karoly: Goal systems and self-regulation. In: Rick H. Hoyle (Ed.): Handbook of Personality and Self-Regulation. Blackwell Publishing, 2010.
  9. ↑ a b c d e F. H. Kanfer, H. Reinecker, D. Schmelzer: Self-management therapy . 3. Edition. Springer, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-540-66446-7 .
  10. ↑ Goldstein: Structure of the Organism. 1934, p. 75.
  11. ↑ Manuela Sellitto, Elisa Ciaramelli, Giuseppe di Pellegrino: The neurobiology of intertemporal choice: insight from imaging and lesion studies . In: Reviews in the Neurosciences . tape 22 , no. 5 , 2011, ISSN  0334-1763 , p. 565-574 , doi : 10.1515 / RNS.2011.046 , PMID 21967518 .