Why self-control and Intelligence are related

Understanding the factors that support self-control is relevant to many important behaviors ranging from saving for retirement to maintaining physical and mental health. Yale University researchers recently determined brain regions that are activated in intelligence tests and in self-control reward test as well. Higher intelligence might also be related to better self-control.

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Clipped from: Why delaying gratification is smart




Why delaying gratification is smart

A neural link between intelligence and self-control

If you had a choice between receiving $1,000 right now or $4,000 ten years from now, which would you pick? Psychologists use the term 'delay discounting' to describe our inability to resist the temptation of a smaller immediate reward in lieu of receiving a larger reward at a later date. Discounting future rewards too much is a form of impulsivity, and an important way in which we can neglect to exert self-control."

Previous research suggests that higher intelligence is related to better self-control, but the reasons for this link are unknown. Psychologists Noah A. Shamosh and Jeremy R. Gray, from Yale University, and their colleagues, were interested in testing the idea that certain brain regions supporting short-term memory play a critical role in this relationship.

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Clipped from: Welcome to SCAN Lab

Work in the SCAN Lab aims to further an integrated and mechanistic understanding of affect, self-control, and intelligent behavior at multiple levels of analysis: social, cognitive, neural, and genetic. Specific projects currently include research into emotion-cognition interactions, social reasoning, emotional intelligence, ego depletion, mindfulness meditation, personality, analogical reasoning, creativity, and impulsivity."

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Clipped from: HealthNewsDigest.com



"How do you juggle what you desperately want to do right now versus what you know to be best for yourself long term? Its not easy for anyone," said Jeremy Gray, assistant professor of psychology and co-author of the study. "We found that a part of prefrontal cortex that helps integrate goals and values appears to contribute to both self-control and to performance on tests of abstract reasoning and problem solving, helping to explain why self-control and intelligence are related."

The findings were reported online Sept. 9 in the journal Psychological Science.

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Clipped from: Prefrontal cortex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prefrontal cortex

This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, and moderating correct social behavior. The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.


Related:

Why delaying gratification is smart
Welcome to SCAN Lab
Prefrontal cortex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Why delaying gratification is smart | Eureka! Science News