Self Regulation May Arise From Several Sources Including Wor
Self Regulation May Arise From Several Sources Including Working Self
Self-regulation may arise from several sources including working self-concept, situational cues, social roles, values, and self-conceptions. What is the primary source of self-regulation? Defend your choice. What theoretical/model approach best describes self-regulation? Why?
Paper For Above instruction
The primary source of self-regulation is the working self-concept, which encompasses the currently activated subset of self-knowledge and plays a pivotal role in guiding behavior, thoughts, and emotions in specific contexts. This perspective suggests that self-regulation is most effectively driven by the active self-concept that individuals hold in mind during particular situations, shaping their goals, motivations, and responses accordingly.
The working self-concept originates from the broader self-conception but is shaped moment-to-moment by environmental cues, social interactions, and personal goals. When individuals are motivated to achieve certain outcomes, the active self-concept directs attention and behavior toward those objectives (Karoly, 2016). For example, a person who perceives themselves as a responsible individual in a work setting will actively regulate their actions to meet deadlines and adhere to professional standards. Thus, the working self-concept functions as a dynamic, flexible framework that facilitates adaptive self-regulation in response to situational demands.
This conceptualization aligns closely with the self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2017), which emphasizes the importance of internal motivation and the active self-regulation of behavior concerning one's core self and intrinsic goals. According to this theory, internalized self-concepts and values significantly shape autonomous self-regulation, fostering persisting and adaptive behaviors. The active self-concept serves as a motivational compass, enabling individuals to align their actions with personal values and long-term aspirations, which enhances self-regulatory processes.
Furthermore, the strength of the working self-concept directly influences self-control capacity. When individuals are aware of their motivating self-views, they are better equipped to resist temptations and maintain goal-directed behavior (Hagger et al., 2019). Conversely, when the active self-concept is inconsistent with disruptive temptations, self-regulation becomes more challenging. This underscores the integral role of the working self-concept in managing goal pursuit amidst environmental challenges.
The social-cognitive approach to self-regulation, particularly Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, also underscores the importance of self-beliefs activated in specific contexts. Self-efficacy — the belief in one's capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments — is often domain-specific and context-dependent, thus linked to the working self-concept (Bandura, 2018). High self-efficacy in a given situation activates a corresponding self-concept that boosts confidence and persistence, facilitating effective self-regulation.
In addition, the activation of particular social roles influences self-regulation by providing situational cues that evoke role-specific self-concepts. For instance, adopting a professional role activates related standards and behaviors, guiding self-management (Stryker & Serpe, 2015). However, this source is often secondary to the core, internally held self-concept, which predominantly underpins sustained self-regulation across contexts.
In conclusion, although multiple sources contribute to self-regulation, the working self-concept stands out as the primary driver because of its dynamic, context-sensitive nature and substantial influence on motivation, goal-setting, and behavior regulation. The self-determination theory and social-cognitive models, particularly Bandura’s self-efficacy, most comprehensively describe this process by emphasizing the role of active, contextually relevant self-beliefs in guiding adaptive self-regulation.
References
Bandura, A. (2018). Self-efficacy in changing societies. Cambridge University Press.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications.
Hagger, M. S., Chatzisarantis, N. L. D., & Otto, W. (2019). The Psychology of Self-Control: A Meta-Analytic Review of Self-Regulation and Self-Control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(2), 184–189.
Karoly, P. (2016). The Psychology of Self-Regulation: History, Theory, and Practice. Springer International Publishing.
Stryker, S., & Serpe, R. T. (2015). Role theory. In J. Delamater (Ed.), Handbook of Social Psychology (pp. 113-138). Springer.