Can we define self-control and willpower? There has to be some intrinsic part of us that is like willpower but so much of that women’s experiments could have been explained so much easier by simple behavioral principles.

The cookie experiment was said to deplete their willpower but what if those eating the cookie’s were being operationally reinforced for their cooperation with the study (which is the behavior) and therefore were more likely to continue the difficult puzzle. Wouldn’t it make more sense to explain willpower depletion as resisting reinforcers?

These self control situations are all about resisting short term reinforcers (eating, drinking, etc) for long term ones (being healthy and happier, etc). It seemed to me that the muscle the women was talking about developing is essentially a behavioral past. If you consistently resist and have self control then you start coming in contact with the long term reinforcement and develop your muscle.

I don’t doubt that there is some aspect of willpower in this equation and that behaviorism cannot explain everything perfectly, however, doesn’t seem silly to completely ignore it?