Self‐regulation of unwanted consumption

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The issue of consumption control is viewed from the perspective of self‐regulation in which successful attempts at controlling problem behaviors depend upon achieving motivational readiness. It is proposed that consumption control can be understood as a series of stage‐related processes that follow from theoretical accounts of self‐regulation contained in the <jats:italic>transtheoretical model of change</jats:italic>, and the <jats:italic>model of action phases</jats:italic>. In order to observe ongoing consumption‐control processes, a diary study, in which participants described their actions, thoughts, and feelings in attempting a personal consumption‐control project, was conducted. Diary entries were interpreted in light of theoretical stage‐related processes. © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.</jats:p>