SOC 4010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Short Songs, Walter Mischel, Steven Pinker
3 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Self-Control – N(Not on PowerPoint) P(PowerPoint)
Introduction
We’re faced with hundreds of choices everyday; what we eat, how you spend your money and
time, whether it’s getting off the couch and exercising or not doing your school work because
you need to binge watch a new Netflix series. Almost every action we perform is a choice
between that action and a myriad of possibilities – often between ones that are ‘good’ and
productive versus one we know are ‘bad’ but are nevertheless compelled to do them. We either
make these choices impulsively or we’re able to impose our self control.
Definition Google: (Need the Definition of Self-Control from textbook as well)
• P: The ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the
expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.
• P: “Self-controllers are better at perspective-taking and are less distressed when
responding to other others’ troubles” – Steven Pinker
o N: Pinker highlights the importance of recognizing self-control in our everyday
lives and provides us with real-life stories that dates back to past centuries. For
example, the story of Adam and Eve. (Next slide – The story of Adam and Eve)
Example: Self- Control – The story of Adam and Eve
• N: God created Adam and Eve and gave them specific instructions on how to obey him.
The first thing that we see about Eve is that she did not run away when the serpent
questioned God’s word and God’s motives. By not fleeing danger, she sets herself up to
fall. This was how to show self-control, by running away from danger. She then sees
something, and what she sees gets into her mind. Once in her mind, she is tempted and
begins to desire what she saw. She sins and encourages Adam to do the same.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Almost every action we perform is a choice between that action and a myriad of possibilities often between ones that are good" and productive versus one we know are bad" but are nevertheless compelled to do them. We either make these choices impulsively or we"re able to impose our self control. For example, the story of adam and eve. (next slide the story of adam and eve) Example: self- control the story of adam and eve: n: god created adam and eve and gave them specific instructions on how to obey him. The first thing that we see about eve is that she did not run away when the serpent questioned god"s word and god"s motives. By not fleeing danger, she sets herself up to fall. This was how to show self-control, by running away from danger. She then sees something, and what she sees gets into her mind.
