<p>Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular approach to managing thoughts (cognitions) encompassing &quot;temptation&quot;, however there are others.</p>
<p>Here is an interesting <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J294v08n04_03" rel="nofollow noreferrer">case study</a> that applies CBT to manage temptation to steal among those exhibiting kleptomania.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-12T16:22:19.743Z
Please see https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/27872/7604
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-12T17:14:35.420Z
I edited my comment to clarify
stephan_phd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-12T08:15:12.370Z
2021-11-12T17:14:07.290Z
2021-11-12T17:14:07.290Z
stephan_phd
<p>The Internet offers conflicting advice on how to resist temptations. For example, <a href="https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/resisting-temptation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a> article stresses the importance of willpower:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Animals appear to obey their appetites in the moment; people — at least, adult people — can say “no” to what may be immediately tempting, for the sake of the greater material rewards or moral virtue that come from reining ourselves in. Yet most of us fail to rein ourselves in as much as we would like, at least in some part of our lives. In one way or another, failures of willpower are at the root of countless problems in our society — obesity, addictions, violence, relationship problems, consumer debt, to name just a few.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On the other hand, <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0316441325" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a> book says:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Willpower doesn't work. ... Clearly, the research on willpower
explains human behavior. But only on the surface level. The very fact
that willpower is required comes from several fundamental sources:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>You don’t know what you want, and are thus internally conflicted.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Your desire (your why) for your goals isn’t strong enough.</p>
</li>
<li><p>You    aren’t invested in yourself and your dreams.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Your environment    opposes your goal.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Once these four   principles are aligned within yourself, the internal
debate is over.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>What's the current scientific view on how to avoid succumbing to temptations? What techniques are considered best? I'd be especially grateful for references to good-quality science-based books or articles about this matter.</p>

<cognitive-psychology><decision-making><executive-function>
What do experts consider best mental techniques to avoid succumbing to temptations?
Mitsuko
# What do experts consider best mental techniques to avoid succumbing to temptations?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-11-07)

The Internet offers conflicting advice on how to resist temptations. For example, [this](https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/resisting-temptation) article stresses the importance of willpower:

> Animals appear to obey their appetites in the moment; people — at least, adult people — can say “no” to what may be immediately tempting, for the sake of the greater material rewards or moral virtue that come from reining ourselves in. Yet most of us fail to rein ourselves in as much as we would like, at least in some part of our lives. In one way or another, failures of willpower are at the root of countless problems in our society — obesity, addictions, violence, relationship problems, consumer debt, to name just a few.

On the other hand, [this](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0316441325) book says:

> Willpower doesn't work. ... Clearly, the research on willpower
> explains human behavior. But only on the surface level. The very fact
> that willpower is required comes from several fundamental sources:
>
> * You don’t know what you want, and are thus internally conflicted.
> * Your desire (your why) for your goals isn’t strong enough.
> * You aren’t invested in yourself and your dreams.
> * Your environment opposes your goal.
>
> Once these four principles are aligned within yourself, the internal
> debate is over.

What's the current scientific view on how to avoid succumbing to temptations? What techniques are considered best? I'd be especially grateful for references to good-quality science-based books or articles about this matter.

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, decision-making, executive-function


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-11-12. Score: 1

Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular approach to managing thoughts (cognitions) encompassing "temptation", however there are others.

Here is an interesting [case study](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J294v08n04_03) that applies CBT to manage temptation to steal among those exhibiting kleptomania.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Please see https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/27872/7604  
> **username_1**: I edited my comment to clarify  

---

