A meta-analysis of the convergent validity of self-control measures

Abstract

There is extraordinary diversity in how the construct of self-control is operationalized in research studies. We meta-analytically examined evidence of convergent validity among executive function, delay of gratification, and self- and informant-report questionnaire measures of self-control. Overall, measures demonstrated moderate convergence (rrandom = .27 [95% CI = .24, .30]; rfixed = .34 [.33, .35], k = 282 samples, N = 33,564 participants), although there was substantial heterogeneity in the observed correlations. Correlations within and across types of self-control measures were strongest for informant-report questionnaires and weakest for executive function tasks. Questionnaires assessing sensation seeking impulses could be distinguished from questionnaires assessing processes of impulse regulation. We conclude that self-control is a coherent but multidimensional construct best assessed using multiple methods.

Self-Control Scale AS-36: Construction and validation study

“…But the problem is that the relationship between personal self-control and cognitive self-control may be insignificant (see Nęcka et al, 2012). One important meta-analytical study (Duckworth & Kern, 2011) showed that the intercorrelations among various measures of self-control were rather weak, particularly if executive functions tasks are concerned. So, it seems questionable whether computerized cognitive tasks measuring the level of development of the so-called executive functions, e.g., the Stroop task (1935), the flankers task (Eriksen & Eriksen, 1974), or the antisaccade task (O'Driscoll et al, 1995;Orylska & Racicka, 2014), give us an insight into the level of development of personal self-control, visible in individual behaviour.…”

Predictive validity of self‐reported self‐control for different forms of recidivism

“…This approach also allowed us to take into account processes that moderate impulse control in the assessment of SC (Duckworth and Kern, 2011). The first moderating process we considered in this study was coping, since different coping strategies, e.g., cognitive reappraisal/finding meaning in negative events and problem-directed action, are considered to play an important role in affect regulation (Larsen and Prizmic, 2004).…”

The domain specificity of intertemporal choice in pinyon jays

“…They, too, failed to find correlations in human across delay choice (labeled "discounting") tasks and inhibitory tasks such as go/no-go tasks or the balloon analogue risk task, which is analogous to a delay maintenance task. Duckworth and Kern (2011) found moderate correlations (r = 0.20 − 0.23) with different delay choice tasks but only small correlations (r = 0.07−0.14) with executive function (inhibition tasks). Thus, humans also show task-specific performance for self-control.…”