Customer Reviews

The Science of Self-Control

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Rachlin does an excellent job of deconstructing the concept of willpower, reducing it to a small number of skills and abilities which can be directly studied. His central thesis is that our ability to delay gratification for future gain is based on the act of "chunking" experiences. If you always make your decisions based on how you'll feel five minutes from now, then you'll never stay on a diet or learn to play the violin. Even for someone who's gotten past the initial hard work, the extended and deep pleasure that comes from (say) reading a challenging novel or kicking butt at football may be overwhelmed by the extraordiary low-cost but unfulfilling pleasure of vegging in front of the television or surfing random book reviews on the web.

Rachlin uses some very clear language and some very confusing diagrams to explain how this works and how we can work to change, but his practical methods are a little naive. His construction of drug abuse is also highly questionable, although as a general model for self-perpetuating but valueless activity it is worthwhile. This book will give you a fascinating new perspective on why even good people can be lazy, stupid, or self-destructive, but don't expect detailed self-help exercises.

Rachlin's book has been a wonderful read for several reasons.

1. Rachlin defends the approach of pure behaviorism (that relies only on observations and doesn't need to know anything on internal states) in a clever way. In particular, watch out for the blue coat/brown coat example.

2. He explains very clearly the notion of hyperbolic discounting: the switch in preferences as the time horizon changes. Self-control is the contrary of hyperbolic discounting. Too simple? I don't see a case in my life that can't be framed in that fashion. Same thing with other notions like the 'primrose path'.

3. The examples are mostly about alcoholics, smokers and pigeons. That is, about all of us. After you read this book, you will be convinced that either you are a pigeon, or you often act like one.

4. Towards the end of the book, Rachlin suggests that self-control can be seen in a game-theoretic setting where the players are the 'I' of today and the 'I' of tomorrow. Although not supported by facts, this interpretation looks like a wonderful way to attain more self-control -- provided you think of the 'you' of tomorrow as your partner and friend, with whom you want to collaborate.

I already had a positive view of behavioral psychology, but considered self-control as essentially in the realm of the cognitive. Rachlin convinced me otherwise.

I am writing this review after only reading excerpts of the book. It is well written, with cogent examples that can act as a "How-to" book. Although based on science, it is clear enough to be understood by most, and should be helpful to all.