Affective strategies of self-control

Hidden risks and cognitive rigidity

Bibliographic Data

ID21591761
AuthorsMaria Doulatova (0000-0003-4288-8696, Georgia State University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume39
Issue4
Pages1587-1605
Publication date2026-05-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0951-5089 • E-ISSN: 1465-394X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09515089.2025.2483682
OpenAlexW4409248917
LanguageEN
References cited47

Many theorists argue that self-control produces only positive outcomes with no apparent downsides. Of course, while exercises of self-control could be put to bad use in cases of cognitive rigidity like anorexia, the value of self-control remains prominent in everyday life. Nevertheless, some worries remain. Do some ways of exercising self-control incur greater risks for developing cognitive rigidity than others? That is, do all exercises of self-control have equally positive outcomes? I synthesize empirical findings to show that some popular ways of bolstering self-control have greater risks for developing cognitive rigidity than others. Hence, not all exercises of self-control have equally positive outcomes. While strategies of using emotions to bolster self-control have recently been met with a great deal of enthusiasm, some of these strategies incur greater risks for developing cognitive rigidity than others. For example, while using emotions like anger could initially bolster self-control, these emotions could become addictive and invite cognitive rigidity in the long run. Similarly, while using implementation intentions could initially bolster self-control, this strategy could thwart cognitive flexibility necessary for goal-disengagement. Finally, certain ways of bolstering self-control with negative emotions like shame could increase cognitive rigidity by causing one to “get stuck” in self-control mode

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Self-control · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Computer Science · Engineering · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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