WillpowerWillpower
All In The Mind
Willpower is the greatest human strength. Our capacity for self control is a finite energy and can be strengthened with exercise.
28:50•29 Jun 2014
Willpower, Self-Control and the Science of Resisting Temptation
Episode Overview
- Willpower acts like a limited energy source that fuels self-control and decision making, and can be depleted through use.
- Relapse in addiction is linked more to low self-control than to the momentary strength of cravings, especially when multiple demands are placed on willpower.
- Dieting purely by restriction is especially hard because resisting food needs willpower, and willpower itself depends on energy from food.
- Practising small, repeated acts of self-control (such as using a non-dominant hand or improving posture) can strengthen willpower broadly.
- Genetic risk for aggression can be moderated by a supportive upbringing and by targeted self-control training, though ethical questions remain about how this knowledge is used.
“Willpower is the greatest and most coveted human strength.”
Gain insights from experts on how sheer willpower might shape everyday choices, long-term health, and even addiction. All In The Mind brings together psychologist Roy Baumeister and researcher Tom Denson with host Lynne Malcolm to unpack what self-control actually is and why it’s so precious. You’ll hear Baumeister describe willpower as “the energy that is used for self-control”, linked to the prefrontal cortex and fuelled by the body’s basic energy supply.
Through lab studies involving tempting chocolates, upsetting films, and frustrating tasks, he shows that self-control behaves a bit like a muscle: use it and it gets tired in the short term, train it over time and it grows stronger. For anyone wrestling with cravings, overeating, smoking or other addictions, the episode offers a clear message: relapse seems less about how strong the craving feels and more about how worn down your willpower is.
Trying to diet and quit smoking at the same time, for example, spreads that limited energy too thin. Instead, you’re urged to tackle one change at a time and start with the easiest habit, building self-control gradually. Denson adds another layer by looking at anger and aggression. He explains how a so-called “warrior gene” and tough childhoods can leave some people’s brains working much harder just to keep their temper in check.
Even so, practising small acts of self-control – like using your non-dominant hand for daily tasks – has been shown to reduce aggressive behaviour and may boost the brain’s efficiency over time. This episode doesn’t promise miracle fixes, but it does suggest that carefully managing your energy, making decisions when you’re rested and fed, and training self-control in small, everyday ways could make resisting harmful habits just a bit easier.
If willpower really is a trainable strength, what could your first small practice be today?
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