Elliot is trying to establish a workout regimen, but he finds it easy to talk himself into making an exception to his workout routine. For example, one day he skipped a jog because it was raining, and the next day he didn't go to the gym because he chose to attend a friend's birthday dinner instead. Skipping a workout for one of these reasons would not undermine his fitness goals, but regularly skipping his workouts does. Elliot's experience is best explained by _______.
a. the small-but-cumulative effects model
b. the Ainslie-Rachlin model of self-control
c. the commitment-response model
d. Mischel's delay of gratification paradigm

Elliot's experience is best explained by the small-but-cumulative effects model because this model explains how a self-control program can gradually deteriorate because each temptation has a significant effect on his long term goal that is his new workout regimen. So, Elliot's experience indicates that even though he has a goal, he makes up an excuse every time he needs to start his workout and if he continues like this, he will never obtain his final goal. Good luck!