What does self-control refer to?

Self-control refers primarily to the behaviors that enable an individual to manage and regulate their impulses, emotions, and actions. It involves the ability to resist immediate temptations or distractions in order to achieve longer-term goals or adhere to societal or personal standards. For example, a child exhibiting self-control might choose to delay gratification by waiting to eat a treat until after completing their homework, demonstrating their capacity to manage immediate desires for a more desired outcome in the future.

While other options reflect important aspects of personal development, they do not precisely capture the essence of self-control. Abilities for strategic planning and capacity for social interaction pertain to skills that can be developed and are relevant in different contexts, but they do not specifically address the impulse regulation aspect of self-control. Willingness to follow rules suggests compliance but doesn't encompass the broader behavioral regulation that self-control embodies. Thus, the choice that correctly defines self-control in the context of impulse management is indeed the one that focuses on behaviors that allow for control over impulses.