scholarly journals Exploring the Interplay of Trait Self–Control and Ego Depletion: Empirical Evidence for Ironic Effects

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Imhoff ◽  
Alexander F. Schmidt ◽  
Friederike Gerstenberg
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Total N ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Behaviour Study ◽  
Low Self Control ◽  
Ironic Effects

Trait self–control (TSC) has been conceptualized as a general and abstract ability to exert self–regulation across multiple domains that has mostly beneficial effects. However, its relationship to situational depletion of self–regulatory resources has received little attention. We systematically explore the interplay of trait and situational self–control in two studies (total N = 264). In contrast with a positive view of TSC, the results show greater ego depletion effects for high (vs. low) self–control abilities across such diverse domains as candy consumption (Study 1), risk–taking behaviour (Study 2) and achievement motivation (Study 2). It is proposed that these ironic effects are attributable to high–TSC individuals’ less frequent active inhibition of impulses in everyday life and their resulting lack of experience in resisting acute temptations. A third study (N> = 358) corroborated this general reasoning by showing that TSC is indeed associated with less frequent impulse inhibition in daily routines. Our data point to a downside of dispositional self–control in ego depletion paradigms. Other explanations and potential future avenues for resolving inconsistent findings across the literature are discussed. Copyright © 2013 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Doing despite Disliking: Self–Regulatory Strategies in Everyday Aversive Activities

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Hennecke ◽  
Thomas Czikmantori ◽  
Veronika Brandstätter
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regulatory Strategies ◽  
Self Reports

We investigated the self–regulatory strategies people spontaneously use in their everyday lives to regulate their persistence during aversive activities. In pilot studies (pooled N = 794), we identified self–regulatory strategies from self–reports and generated hypotheses about individual differences in trait self–control predicting their use. Next, deploying ambulatory assessment ( N = 264, 1940 reports of aversive/challenging activities), we investigated predictors of the strategies’ self–reported use and effectiveness (trait self–control and demand types). The popularity of strategies varied across demands. In addition, people higher in trait self–control were more likely to focus on the positive consequences of a given activity, set goals, and use emotion regulation. Focusing on positive consequences, focusing on negative consequences (of not performing the activity), thinking of the near finish, and emotion regulation increased perceived self–regulatory success across demands, whereas distracting oneself from the aversive activity decreased it. None of these strategies, however, accounted for the beneficial effects of trait self–control on perceived self–regulatory success. Hence, trait self–control and strategy use appear to represent separate routes to good self–regulation. By considering trait– and process–approaches these findings promote a more comprehensive understanding of self–regulatory success and failure during people's daily attempts to regulate their persistence. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Self-Control Self-Regulation, and Doping in Sport: A Test of the Strength-Energy Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derwin K. C. Chan ◽  
Vanessa Lentillon-Kaestner ◽  
James A. Dimmock ◽  
Robert J. Donovan ◽  
David A. Keatley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Energy Model ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Young Athletes ◽  
Low Self Control ◽  
Performance Enhancing Substances ◽  
The Relationship

We applied the strength-energy model of self-control to understand the relationship between self-control and young athletes’ behavioral responses to taking illegal performance-enhancing substances, or “doping.” Measures of trait self-control, attitude and intention toward doping, intention toward, and adherence to, doping-avoidant behaviors, and the prevention of unintended doping behaviors were administered to 410 young Australian athletes. Participants also completed a “lollipop” decision-making protocol that simulated avoidance of unintended doping. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses revealed that self-control was negatively associated with doping attitude and intention, and positively associated with the intention and adherence to doping-avoidant behaviors, and refusal to take or eat the unfamiliar candy offered in the “lollipop” protocol. Consistent with the strength-energy model, athletes with low self-control were more likely to have heightened attitude and intention toward doping, and reduced intention, behavioral adherence, and awareness of doping avoidance.

Who Believes in Nonlimited Willpower? In Search of Correlates of Implicit Theories of Self-Control

2018 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-299
Author(s):  
Jan Jędrzejczyk ◽  
Marcin Zajenkowski
Keyword(s):  
Time Perspective ◽  
Implicit Theories ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
Future Time Perspective ◽  
Mental Activity ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Domain Specific

Recently, the most prominent model of self-control, the strength model, was criticized, and other explanations of self-control have been proposed. One of them is a concept of lay, implicit, willpower theories, that is, believing either that willpower is limited (as in the strength model) or nonlimited. Research shows that holding a nonlimited-resource belief prevents individuals from suffering ego depletion and is related to successful self-regulation. The current study explored how personality, time perspective, and intelligence predict willpower theories. Additionally, two aspects of willpower theories, strenuous mental activity and resistance to temptations, were measured separately. The results indicated that the two aspects of willpower theories were not correlated with each other. This supports hypothesis that willpower theories may be domain specific and also suggests that these two aspects should not be aggregated into one, homogenous scale as was done in some previous research. Both aspects of holding a nonlimited-resource theory were related positively to emotional stability and negatively to past negative time perspective. Strenuous mental activity was positively associated with intellect and negatively with present fatalism, whereas resistance to temptations was correlated positively with conscientiousness and future time perspective. There were no relations between willpower theories and intelligence, which posits that similar life outcomes related with these two attributes are based on distinct mechanisms. Regression analyses revealed that only personality traits (emotional stability and conscientiousness) remained significant predictors of willpower beliefs.

The Long Reach of Self-Control

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-46
Author(s):  
Roy F. Baumeister ◽  
Andrew J. Vonasch ◽  
Hallgeir Sjåstad
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Physical Energy ◽  
Making Choices

Abundant evidence suggests that people exert self-control as if the exertions consumed a limited energy resource, akin to the folk notion of willpower. After exerting self-control, subsequent efforts at self-control are often relatively feeble and unsuccessful. The state of low willpower is called ego depletion. Studies on ego depletion have shown effects on intelligent thought (which is impaired during ego depletion), decision-making (depleted persons shift to more superficial ways of choosing, or prefer to avoid making choices), and passivity (depleted people become more passive). The psychological processes of self-regulation and ego depletion are linked to physical energy, as indicated by evidence that hunger makes people more short-sighted, and that food intake tends to counteract ego depletion. Depletion increases in response to interpersonal conflict, poor sleep, and confronting uncertainty. In daily life, good self-control is linked to avoiding problems and temptations, low stress, and higher happiness.

Self-control during adolescence: Examining the stability of low self-control and the effects of parental social controls

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Meinert ◽  
Jost Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
Social Control ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Total N ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Social Controls ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Low Self Control

This study examines the stability of and change in self-control during adolescence and investigates the reciprocal relationship of self-control and parental social control. German three-wave panel data with two age cohorts (11–13 and 15–17 years, total N = 1423) are analyzed. Latent growth curve and path models are applied to investigate developmental trajectories. Findings suggest (a) no evidence for the relative stability of self-control, (b) parental controls do matter after the formative years, and (c) low self-control influences the perception of parental controls in early adolescence. In sum, results support a dynamic perspective with reciprocal influences of self-control and social control.

scholarly journals Doing Despite Disliking: Self-Regulatory Strategies in Everyday Aversive Activities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Hennecke ◽  
Thomas Czikmantori ◽  
Veronika Brandstätter
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regulatory Strategies ◽  
Self Reports

We investigated the self-regulatory strategies people spontaneously use in their everyday lives to regulate their persistence during aversive activities. In pilot studies (pooled N = 794), we identified self-regulatory strategies from self-reports and generated hypotheses about individual differences in trait self-control predicting their use. Next, deploying ambulatory assessment (N = 264, 1940 reports of aversive/challenging activities), we investigated predictors of the strategies’ self-reported use and effectiveness (trait self-control, demand types). The popularity of strategies varied across demands. In addition, people higher in trait self-control were more likely to focus on the positive consequences of a given activity, set goals, and use emotion regulation. Focusing on positive consequences, focusing on negative consequences (of not performing the activity), thinking of the near finish, and emotion regulation increased perceived self-regulatory success across demands, whereas distracting oneself from the aversive activity decreased it. None of these strategies, however, accounted for the beneficial effects of trait self-control on perceived self-regulatory success. Hence, trait self-control and strategy use appear to represent separate routes to good self-regulation. By considering trait- and process-approaches, these findings promote a more comprehensive understanding of self-regulatory success and failure during people’s daily attempts to regulate their persistence.

Ego depletion reduces proselfs' concern with the well-being of others

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Balliet ◽  
Jeff Joireman
Keyword(s):  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Similar Measure ◽  
Basic Proposition ◽  
Primary Hypothesis ◽  
Practical Implications

Previous research suggests that people predisposed toward a more cooperative orientation are stronger at self-control and, accordingly, are better able to ward off the adverse impact of ego depletion on self-regulation (Seeley & Gardner, 2003). Building on this research, we tested the hypothesis that ego depletion would lead to a reduction in concern with the well-being of others among proselfs, but not among prosocials. Study 1 supported the basic proposition that prosocials are higher than proselfs in trait self-control. In Study 2, participants originally classified as prosocials versus proselfs based on mathematical games engaged in an ego depletion task or a control task and later completed a similar measure of prosocial versus proself values. Supporting the primary hypothesis, ego depletion reduced proselfs concern with the well-being of others at time 2, but had no impact among prosocials. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

When Impulsive Behaviours Do Not Equal Self–Control Failures: The (Added) Value of Temptation Enactment

2020 ◽  
pp. per.2280
Author(s):  
Amir Ghoniem ◽  
Wilhelm Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Total N ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Impulsive Behaviour ◽  
Control Failure ◽  
Control Failures

Most work on self–control and impulsivity typically assumes, more or less tacitly, that people value self–control as more important than succumbing to temptations. According to this narrative, people regard impulsive behaviours as ‘failures’ of self–control and experience negative self–evaluations such as feelings of guilt or shame in response. Here, we direct attention to a neglected but crucial meta–behavioural valuation dimension of impulsive behaviour. We posit that individual differences in people's valuation of temptation enactment (VOTE) qualify whether and to what extent impulsive behaviours trigger negative self–evaluations and whether and to what extent people feel motivated to self–improve. Using a newly constructed VOTE scale, we first show that individual differences in VOTE can be reliably measured and clearly distinguished from traditional impulsivity or self–control scales (Studies 1–3; total N = 576). Across three subsequent studies (total N = 460), we then demonstrate that high VOTE, as compared with low VOTE, reduces the link between impulsive behaviours and negative self–conscious emotions (Studies 4 and 5), as well as between past impulsive behaviour and self–improvement motivation (Study 6). These findings have implications for the discourse on self–control failure and for the link between impulsive behaviour and self–evaluation, self–improvement motivation, and well–being. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology

Ego-Depletion and Risk Behavior

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Unger ◽  
Dagmar Stahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Adverse Outcome ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Expected Values

Ego-depletion theory postulates the existence of a mental resource that is necessary for self-regulation. If the resource is diminished by a task involving self-control, achievement in subsequent self-control tasks will be impaired. Three experiments examined whether ego-depletion limits people’s intentionality regarding risk behavior (i.e., choosing an option that has a certain probability of resulting in an adverse outcome). It is assumed that people operating under ego-depletion lack the self-control to deal with these possibly negative outcomes and will, therefore, be prone to avoid risky alternatives, if the decision requires certain levels of responsibility and information processing (i.e., people will choose safe options in an investment scenario with actual pay-offs according to expected values). Results support the assumption that people become risk averse under ego-depletion even when controlling for the alternate assumption that ego-depletion strengthens an existing individual disposition toward risk taking.

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