Effortful Control
Title
Effortful Control
Author
Spinrad, Tracy L.
Eisenberg, Nancy
Research Area
Cognition and Emotions
Topic
Motivation
Abstract
Effortful control, defined as the ability to voluntary inhibit a dominant response and to activate a subdominant response, is believed to play an important role in children's development. In this essay, we distinguish between effortful control and aspects of control that are involuntary (i.e., reactive). The development of effortful control is summarized, and research on its relations to children's positive social behaviors and maladjustment is reviewed. Key areas for future work are also discussed, with an emphasis on interventions designed to promote self‐regulation.