Volitional problems in trying to quit smoking
- 1 September 1978
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Wiley in Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
- Vol. 19 (1) , 205-212
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.1978.tb00322.x
Abstract
A series of interviews was conducted with 10 patients in an anti smoking clinic. Earlier results implying that volitional breakdowns in trying to quit smoking occur under emotional stress and are preceded by distorted reasoning were replicated. The patients were also asked about techniques they used to resist temptations. These techniques involved (a) bringing to mind values and wishes incompatible with the wish to smoke, and (b) diverting attention to some other action. Such acts may be interpreted as processing mental energy rather than information, pointing to a need for a broader conception of the regulation of action than is available in contemporary work on decision making.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- An investigation of naturally occurring episodes of self-controlled behaviors.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1977