The Role of Hedonic Goal Pursuit in Self-Control and Self-Regulation: Is Pleasure the Problem or Part of the Solution?

Daniela Becker; Katharina Bernecker

doi:10.1007/s42761-023-00193-2

The Role of Hedonic Goal Pursuit in Self-Control and Self-Regulation: Is Pleasure the Problem or Part of the Solution?

Affect Sci. 2023 Jun 12;4(3):470-474. doi: 10.1007/s42761-023-00193-2. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Daniela Becker^#¹, Katharina Bernecker^#^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
³ URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

This paper examines the role of hedonic goal pursuit in self-control and self-regulation. We argue that not all pursuit of immediate pleasure is problematic and that successful hedonic goal pursuit can be beneficial for long-term goal pursuit and for achieving positive self-regulatory outcomes, such as health and well-being. The following two key questions for future research are discussed: How can people's positive affective experiences during hedonic goal pursuit be enhanced, and how exactly do those affective experiences contribute to self-regulatory outcomes? We also call for an intercultural perspective linking hedonic goal pursuit to self-regulatory outcomes at different levels. We suggest that understanding the cognitive, motivational, and affective mechanisms at play can help individuals reap the benefits of successful hedonic goal pursuit. Considering those potential benefits, hedonic goal pursuit should be studied more systematically. To achieve this, we argue for a stronger integration of affective science and self-control research.

Keywords: Affect regulation; Hedonic goals; Self-control; Self-regulation; Well-being.