The major patterns of self-regulatory failure are reviewed. Underregul
ation occurs because of deficient standards, inadequate monitoring, or
inadequate strength. Misregulation occurs because of false assumption
s or misdirected efforts, especially an unwarranted emphasis on emotio
n. The evidence supports a strength (limited resource) model of self-r
egulation and suggests that people often acquiesce in losing control.
Loss of control of attention, failure of transcendence, and various la
pse-activated causes all contribute to regulatory failure.