Ego depletion, the executive function, and self-control: An energy model of the self in personality.

The current research tested the effects of active choice on memory (i.e., the self-choice effect). Across 14 experiments (N = 1100) we found that memory for choice alternatives was improved by choosing versus being assigned information to remember. A subset of 3 experiments found a bigger self-choice effect for more difficult choices. And a subset of 6 experiments found that prior acts of self-control reduce the self-choice effect. These findings represent unbiased estimates of the self-choice effect (d = 0. 62), the magnitude of the self-choice effect for easy (d = 0.35) versus more difficult (d = 0.87) choices, and the effect of ego depletion on choice memory (d = 0.39). Discussion centers on the role of cognitive control.

Download Full-text

Reward does not completely compensate for ego depletion: Findings from the self-control task under different cognitive load conditions

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e514472015-042 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Takayuki Goto ◽

Toshiyuki Himichi ◽

Shingo Kurosu ◽

Kenshiro Ichimura ◽

Sayaka Iwama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Load ◽

Ego Depletion ◽

The Self ◽

Self Control ◽

Control Task ◽

Load Conditions

Download Full-text

Coping and Ego Depletion

10.1093/med:psych/9780195119343.003.0003 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Roy F. Baumeister ◽

Jon E. Faber ◽

Harry M. Wallace

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Limited Resource ◽

Ego Depletion ◽

The Self ◽

Self Control ◽

Central Idea ◽

New Approach ◽

Coping Process ◽

Active Responding

This chapter discusses coping and ego depletion, and combines a new approach to the self with a traditional, standard idea about coping in order to understand the coping process. The central idea is that many operations of the self involve the consumption of a limited resource. This resource is used in volition (e.g., choice, responsible decision-making, and active responses) and self-control. Stress makes severe demands on this resource, because people must engage in active responding and must regulate themselves so as to adapt to difficult circumstances.

Download Full-text

Ego-Depletion and Risk Behavior

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000040 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 28-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

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.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Ego Depletion on Sprint Start Reaction Time

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.2014-0029 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 506-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Chris Englert ◽

Alex Bertrams

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Ego Depletion ◽

The Self ◽

Self Control ◽

Control Strength ◽

Increased Risk ◽

False Start ◽

Speed Up ◽

Practical Implications

In the current study, we consider that optimal sprint start performance requires the self-control of responses. Therefore, start performance should depend on athletes’ self-control strength. We assumed that momentary depletion of self-control strength (ego depletion) would either speed up or slow down the initiation of a sprint start, where an initiation that was sped up would carry the increased risk of a false start. Applying a mixed between- (depletion vs. nondepletion) and within- (before vs. after manipulation of depletion) subjects design, we tested the start reaction times of 37 sport students. We found that participants’ start reaction times decelerated after finishing a depleting task, whereas it remained constant in the nondepletion condition. These results indicate that sprint start performance can be impaired by unrelated preceding actions that lower momentary self-control strength. We discuss practical implications in terms of optimizing sprint starts and related overall sprint performance.

Download Full-text