Final answer:
Willpower is often equated with self-regulation, the ability to resist short-term temptations in pursuit of long-term goals. It is related to the concepts of grit and resilience, where persistence in the face of challenges is key. While Nietzsche's 'will to power' suggests a drive for dominance, willpower in common parlance is more about perseverance and mental strength.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing what willpower is about, we are exploring the concept of self-regulation and the psychological mechanisms that enable an individual to pursue long-term goals. Nietzsche's idea of the will to power speaks to an underlying drive for dominance and control, which some interpret as a permission of sorts for callous and cruel behavior in the pursuit of power. However, willpower is more commonly associated with the ability to resist short-term temptations in order to achieve long-term objectives, as demonstrated by Mischel's marshmallow test.
The trait also overlaps with concepts like grit and resilience, wherein persistence towards a goal or task is emphasized. Grit entails continuing to strive against challenges until one succeeds, showing a tenacity that’s closely related to the idea of willpower. This mental toughness helps individuals push through difficulties and is key to personal and academic successes.
Lastly, Nietzsche's perspective can also be considered in the context of modern existential ethics, where it's argued that even seemingly selfless acts are driven by self-interests, a primal urge for influence and recognition rather than purely altruistic motives.