behavioral control
Managing one's actions
Behavioral control refers to techniques or mechanisms that regulate, direct, or limit someone's actions.
In psychology, it describes methods parents, institutions, or authorities use to manage conduct: The study measured parental behavioral control through rules and monitoring.
The term appears in discussions of cults, abusive relationships, and totalitarian systems, where it implies manipulation or coercion.
In research contexts, behavioral controls are experimental conditions that account for subjects' actions rather than their beliefs or intentions.
- delayed gratificationPostponing pleasure for benefit
- impulse buyingUnplanned purchase decision
- social normsShared behavioral expectations
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- self-regulationManaging one's own behavior
community standards · emotional regulation · anger management · mindfulness · boundary setting · authority figures · time out · decision-making · goal-setting · stress management · reward systems · positive reinforcement · parental guidance · self-monitoring · feedback loops · operant conditioning · habit formation · bad habits
- self-controlrestraint, willpower, composure, moderation, temperance
- cognitive controlexecutive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, self-regulation, inhibition
- motivationmotivation, drive, motivate, inspire, encouragement
- autonomyfreedom, self-rule, independence, self-determination, free will
behavioral controlimpulsivity
Acting without considering consequences
impulsiveness · loss of control · disinhibition · acting out · poor impulse control
behavioral controlfreedom
Absence of constraint
autonomy · self-determination · free will · liberty · independence
behavioral controldisorder
Absence of organization
erratic behavior · unpredictability · disorganization · wildness · unruliness
behavioral, behavior, behave, behaved, behaving, behaviorism, behaviorist, misbehave, misbehavior