Self-control is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in the face of external demands, to function in society. In psychology it is sometimes called self-regulation, although that is itself a somewhat broader concept. Self-control is essential in behavior to achieve goals and to avoid impulses and/or emotions that could prove to be negative or destructive. In behavior analysis self-control represents the locus of two conflicting contingencies of reinforcement, which then make a controlling response reinforcing when it causes changes in the controlled response. Self-control is like a muscle. In the short term, overuse of self-control will lead to depletion. However, in the long term the use of self-control can strengthen and improve over time.

Self-control is the motivation to control oneself.