BiasEgocentric Bias · Entry 39
Restraint Bias – when you think you have more self-control than you do
Do you think you can resist temptation, but end up giving in anyway? That’s Restraint Bias – the tendency to overestimate your ability to maintain self-control.
Where it can show up
- Diets – “I’ll buy chocolate, but I’ll eat it in small pieces,” yet an hour later, the whole bar is gone.
- Finances – you swear you won’t overspend, but suddenly your shopping cart is full of unnecessary items.
- Social media – you just want to ‘check notifications,’ but an hour later, you’re deep into TikTok.
A practical countermeasure
- Don’t test your willpower – remove temptations – set up barriers instead of relying on self-restraint.
- Plan ahead – if you know you’re weak in certain situations, create a strategy to avoid them.
- Acknowledge that self-control is limited – it’s easier to avoid temptation than to fight it.
