Previously we conducted an exploratory study of genome-wide gene expression in whole blood samples from ARDS patients using a repeated measures self-control study design to minimize noise [7].
In their meta-analysis, for example, Duckworth and Kern (2011) identify over 100 unique self- and informant-reported questionnaires designed to measure self-control either on its own or as a subscale of broader personality inventories.
To measure self-control, researchers used a so-called Stroop test to assess how well study participants could maintain their focus on the task at hand: identifying the color a word was written in without being distracted by a different, background color.
As soon as a patient is motivated to become abstinent, or at least reduce substance use, procedures and self control measures on how to achieve this goal are discussed.
The Balloon Analogue Risk Task BARTT) is a measure of sensitivity to reward [ 65], which has been shown to correlate significantly with related measures of self-control [ 66] and impulsivity [ 65].
Duckworth's early research showed that measures of self-control can be a more reliable predictor of students' grade-point averages than their I.Q.'s.
They found that at both schools, I.Q. was the better predictor of scores on statewide achievement tests, but measures of self-control were more reliable indicators of report-card grades.
As conservatism increased among participants, so did a belief in free will and measures of self-control improved, the scientists report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
They tested this theory in four fairly simple experiments, using classic measures of self-control.
and the personality trait of "conscientiousness" isn't terribly high, but I.Q. is related to measures of self-control, including the ability to to delay immediate gratification for longer-term gains (called "delay discounting").
The task correlates significantly with related measures for self-control [ 66].
