The role of trait self-control, healthy eating habits and decentering ability in response conflict

Self-control is essential to achieving many positive outcomes. However, most research concentrates on how self-control can fail through the conscious depletion of mental resources, rather than how it can succeed via less effortful strategies. The present study aimed to contribute to this literature, by hypothesising and testing whether trait self-control, healthy eating habits, and decentering ability decrease the response conflict one experiences. Response conflict was elicited using images of unhealthy food. We found that higher levels of trait self-control, healthier eating habits, and a more advanced decentering ability related to lower levels of response conflict. The constructs were especially important in reducing response conflict in participants that valued eating healthily and experienced a desire for unhealthy food. These data suggest that a lower response conflict may be key to successful self-control. We discuss theoretical and practical implications.