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Humans have a "reserve" of willpower which can be depleted. This is science; I can't find the study right now but here's an article about it? http://www.nytimes
by lincolnq 15y ago
Humans have a "reserve" of willpower which can be depleted. This is science; I can't find the study right now but here's an article about it? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/opinion/02aamodt.html http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/opinion/02aamodt.html
Now, consider actions which you take. Assign actions to depleting or filling up your store of willpower.
Do you find that various forms of social activity deplete or refill your store of willpower? If all the social activities you can think of deplete it, then you can safely assign yourself the introvert category.
Anyway, I'm not actually sure that this exercise is valuable. it seems like you might rather keep your identity small (see PG essay on the topic), as it can only constrain you.
- bchjam 15y agoThere are some studies which contradict the "limited reserve of willpower" theory. I read about one just the other day which found that an increased need to urinate correlated with greater mental focus, whereas the limited reserve theory would suggest the opposite.
- bartonfink 15y agoI'd think that having to urinate could lead to greater short-term focus by increasing the rate at which we're able to draw our willpower reserve. This explains the old "stay hungry" advice given to boxers, for example. I find I can concentrate better when I'm slightly uncomfortable, but I doubt I could maintain that level of concentration for a long period of time.