Measures of state self-control and its causes for trackable activities

Researchers have developed measures of trait self-control, or one's general tendency to have self-control. However, measures that provide insight into state self-control, or self-control for specific behaviors, are lacking. The current research addresses this gap for trackable activities, or behaviors an actor monitors over time with the goal of engaging in an acceptable amount of the behavior (e.g., eating, shopping). The authors develop multi-item perceptual measures of standards, monitoring capacity, and monitoring, three factors that contribute to self-control for these types of behaviors, as well as a measure of state self-control that can be used in conjunction with these measures. Seven studies support the measures' reliability and validity and demonstrate the measures' adaptability to a variety of trackable activities, including eating, shopping, drinking, smoking, and gambling. The measures provide a tool for researchers seeking to gain insight into self-control for specific behaviors, with practical implications for policymakers, marketers, and managers.