Restraint bias is the tendency for individuals to overestimate their ability to control impulsive behaviors. This inflated belief in self-control can lead to increased exposure to temptations and greater impulsiveness, particularly in the context of addiction. For example, a person might misuse drugs under the assumption that they can resist any potential addiction, despite the risks.
An individual might decide to go to a party knowing there will be alcohol, confidently believing they can handle it, only to end up drinking excessively because they underestimated their impulsive reaction to the social environment.
To overcome restraint bias, it's important to recognize and acknowledge temptations and limit exposure to high-risk situations where impulsive behaviors may occur.