Self-Regulation Science is the interdisciplinary field dedicated to studying the psychological and physiological processes by which individuals consciously and non-consciously manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions to pursue personally relevant goals. In the domain of health, it is the core determinant of adherence to lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress management protocols. It is the science of behavioral mastery.
Origin
This field draws its theoretical framework from behavioral psychology, social-cognitive theory, and neurobiology, notably integrating concepts of willpower, executive function, and the intention-behavior gap. Its clinical application emerged from the realization that successful health outcomes depend less on knowledge and more on the ability to consistently regulate one’s behavior.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves a cyclical process of goal setting, self-monitoring (tracking progress), and volitional control (overcoming temptations and obstacles). Hormonally, this process is intertwined with the prefrontal cortex’s ability to exert inhibitory control over the limbic system’s impulsive responses, thereby mitigating the chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation that often accompanies self-regulation failure.
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