Final answer:
The effect of choosing to act on an impulse is that it reinforces the impulse, making it likely to be easier to act on it again in the future. This conditioning leads to stronger, more automatic behavioral responses, which is why habituation towards positive habits is crucial for self-control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Choosing to act on an impulse often reinforces the behavior, making it easier to act on the same impulse the next time. When we give in to impulses, we are effectively strengthening the neural pathways associated with that behavior, leading to a sort of 'conditioning' where the behavior becomes more automatic and thus, more likely to occur again in the future without much conscious deliberation.
This is akin to the principles explored in behavioral psychology, where repeated behaviors become reinforced and more deeply ingrained. So, acting on an impulse can have the unintended consequence of making that impulse even stronger in the future. This is why learning to manage impulses and make conscious decisions can be critical; when we pause and reflect on the potential outcomes of our actions, we have a better chance of developing habits that align with our long-term goals and values. Aristotle's notion that 'we are made perfect by habit' suggests that practicing restraint could make it easier to control such impulses over time through habituation.