Self-control

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/self-control

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cognitive domain?A core executive function related to inhibitory control and behavioral regulation
2. What is the neurological basis?Associated with the prefrontal cortex, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
3. What is self‑control and why is it important?Self‑control is the brain’s ability to choose the best option, even when it’s hard. It helps us plan, stay focused, and make good choices.
4. How does the brain use self‑control?The prefrontal cortex, especially the dorsolateral part, works like a planning brain that stops us from acting on impulse. It helps us think before we act.

Inhibitory Control: The ability to suppress unwanted thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.
Ego Depletion: The idea that self-control draws from a limited resource, leading to reduced capacity after use.
General Theory of Crime: A criminological theory proposing that low self-control is the primary cause of criminal behavior.