Why self-control feels costly: brain and emotion links
Neural and affective mechanisms underlying prospective self-control costs
This project measures how much people who struggle with temptations will pay to avoid them and looks at the brain and emotional signals tied to those choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323055 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would take part in decision tasks that measure how much you prefer to block access to tempting rewards (precommitment) rather than face the temptation. The team will use a refined behavioral task plus brain imaging to find the mental computations and emotional responses that make self-control feel costly. They will test how stress changes those signals and compare task behavior to real-world self-control slips reported by participants. The goal is to map which brain regions and feelings predict when people give in or successfully stick to long-term goals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who find it hard to resist temptations (for example around food, spending, or substance use) and who are willing to do decision tasks and brain imaging would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to metal implants, claustrophobia, or pregnancy) or who are unable or unwilling to complete decision-making tasks may not benefit or be able to participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for treatments or strategies that make it easier to stick with goals like healthy eating, saving money, or avoiding substances.
How similar studies have performed: Related precommitment tasks and neuroimaging studies have linked self-control to specific brain systems, but measuring a formal 'cost function' for self-control and how stress alters it is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raio, Candace M — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Raio, Candace M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.