Self-regulation is the applied process of monitoring and responding to one's
behavior (Carver & Scheier, 1998, p. 12). Houghton and Neck (2006) illustrated selfregulation
as a process that was "analogous to the operation of a mechanical thermostat.
The thermostat senses temperature variations relative to a given standard and signals
appropriate action to reduce the discrepancy" (p. 276). Furthermore, self-regulation
theory suggests that people who set high goals for themselves gravitate toward higher
personal performance (p. 276). The concept of confidence is critical to self-regulation,
according to Carver and Scheir (1989); they explained that