Neuroscientists at the University of Iowa (USA) have discovered what happens in the human brain when a person loses patience and the capacity for self-control. Their conclusions are published in the magazineJournal of Consumer Psychology.
William Hedgcock, co-author of the work, had previously shown that eSelf-control is a finite resource that is expended with the use. When it is used too much continuously, it is more difficult for us to stay calm the next time we are faced with a situation that requires controlling our impulses.
Now, a new study with functional magnetic resonance imaging has allowed him to show that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), responsible for recognizing that a situation has many possible responses and that some are more convenient than others, is always activated regardless of the decision that we take. This area recognizes, for example, when something tempts us. Therefore,the true “key” of self-control lies, according to Hedgcock, in the region known asdorsolateral prefrontal cortex-the one that says “I would like to do this, but I have to overcome that urge and act smart” –activates less intensely as our capacity for self-control is depleted. And neuroimaging techniques reveal that it is the lack of activity of the neurons in this area that sometimes causes “situations to get us out of our boxes” and we do not act sensibly, the scientists clarify.
Hedgcock assures that, according to the finding, theself-control should be compared to a pool that can be emptied by use and refilled when we are in an environment without excessive conflicts, far from “temptations that wear you out.”
The results of the study could help develop betterdetox programsfor people addicted to drugs, alcohol, shopping or food, who often do things they would rather not do. It will also help subjects born without the capacity for self-control due to brain damage.
