scholarly journals Reconceptualizing Ego Depletion as Transient Cognitive Fatigue

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Joseph Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Cognitive Fatigue ◽  
Depletion Effect

Ego depletion is embroiled in a crisis that has cast doubts over the legitimacy of the phenomenon itself and its theoretical explanation. I first summarize and analyze the strength model of self- control as cohesive theoretical explanations of the phenomenon and highlight the difficulties it creates for depletion researchers. I conclude that the strength model is not the best theoretical explanation for the depletion phenomenon. Rather, I propose reconceptualizing the ego depletion effect as transient cognitive fatigue (TCF). To support this theoretical shift, I highlight how both the classic and disparate findings in the depletion literature cleanly map into the literature on cognitive fatigue, and how considering depletion to be TCF accommodates existing theoretical alternatives to the strength model.

scholarly journals Bored Into Depletion? Toward a Tentative Integration of Perceived Self-Control Exertion and Boredom as Guiding Signals for Goal-Directed Behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1272-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanja Wolff ◽  
Corinna S. Martarelli
Keyword(s):  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Control Performance ◽  
The Past ◽  
Working Model ◽  
Societal Relevance ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Goal Directed Behavior

During the past two decades, self-control research has been dominated by the strength model of self-control, which is built on the premise that the capacity for self-control is a limited global resource that can become temporarily depleted, resulting in a state called ego depletion. The foundations of ego depletion have recently been questioned. Thus, although self-control is among the most researched psychological concepts with high societal relevance, an inconsistent body of literature limits our understanding of how self-control operates. Here, we propose that the inconsistencies are partly due to a confound that has unknowingly and systematically been introduced into the ego-depletion research: boredom. We propose that boredom might affect results of self-control research by placing an unwanted demand on self-control and signaling that one should explore behavioral alternatives. To account for boredom in self-controlled behavior, we provide a working model that integrates evidence from reward-based models of self-control and recent theorizing on boredom to explain the effects of both self-control exertion and boredom on subsequent self-control performance. We propose that task-induced boredom should be systematically monitored in self-control research to assess the validity of the ego-depletion effect.

scholarly journals Bored into depletion? Towards a tentative integration of perceived self-control exertion and boredom as guiding signals for goal-directed behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanja Wolff ◽  
Corinna Martarelli
Keyword(s):  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Control Performance ◽  
The Past ◽  
Working Model ◽  
Societal Relevance ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Goal Directed Behavior

During the past two decades, self-control research has been dominated by the strength model of self-control which is built on the premise that the capacity for self-control is a limited global resource that can become temporarily depleted, resulting in a state called ego depletion. The foundations of ego depletion have recently been questioned. Thus, although self-control is among the most researched psychological concepts with high societal relevance, an inconsistent body of literature limits our understanding of how self-control operates. Here, we propose that the inconsistencies are partly due to a confound that has unknowingly and systematically been introduced into ego depletion research: Boredom. We propose that boredom might affect results of self-control research by 1) placing an unwanted self-control demand, and 2) signaling that one should explore behavioral alternatives. To account for boredom in self-controlled behavior, we provide a working model that integrates evidence from reward-based models of self-control and recent theorizing on boredom to explain effects of both self-control exertion and boredom on subsequent self-control performance. We propose that task-induced boredom should be systematically monitored in self-control research to assess the validity of the ego depletion effect.

scholarly journals A Schema-Activation Approach to Failure and Success in Self-Control

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Bertrams
Keyword(s):  
Energy Supply ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Schema Activation ◽  
Schema Model

Numerous studies confirm the so-called ego depletion effect (i.e., self-control is impaired after an initial unrelated self-control task). There are also many studies on the moderators of the effect. During recent years, the criticism on this limited-resource approach to willpower has increased, and alternative models have been developed. I argue that the existing models cannot explain the variety of results found in the ego depletion literature (e.g., the vicarious depletion effect). Therefore, I sought a theoretical explanation that incorporates many of the findings, and, thus, I introduce the schema model of self-control. It is characterized by several mediating paths, with each having specific moderators. Referring to related schema conceptions already existing in the literature (i.e., illness schemas and emotion schemas), I posit that the processes that cause ego depletion effects occur around the activation of the fatigue/decreased vitality schema. This schema becomes activated via the registration of behavioral and physiological changes related to exercising self-control. The activation of the fatigue/vitality schema should instigate the motivation to conserve energy and, therefore, cause reduced effort and decreased performance in a subsequent self-control task. The moderators (e.g., energy supply) should influence the (non)activation of the fatigue/vitality schema or its consequences.

When More Depletion Offsets the Ego Depletion Effect

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Xiao ◽  
Junhua Dang ◽  
Lihua Mao ◽  
Sophie Liljedahl
Keyword(s):  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Confounding Factors ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Task Duration ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Multiple Tasks

The ego depletion effect has been consistently replicated using the typical paradigm that consists of two consecutive tasks. However, striking contradiction exists in studies employing multiple tasks. The aim of the current study is to replicate previous studies following a similar procedure and design in a sample of participants from a non-western cultural background (Chinese), while strictly controlling other confounding factors, such as task duration. Results indicated that although ego depletion occurred after performing a single initial self-control task, engaging in multiple tasks did indeed offset the depletion effect. These findings are contrary to the resource-based view of ego depletion (i.e., the strength model) but more consistent with other theoretical frameworks, such as the cognitive control theory.

Ego Depletion

2019 ◽  
pp. 111-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Muraven ◽  
Jacek Buczny ◽  
Kyle F. Law
Keyword(s):  
Limited Resource ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Ego Strength ◽  
Loss Of Self ◽  
Comprehensive Theory ◽  
Depletion Effect

Self-control all too often fails. Despite people’s best intentions and considerable negative outcomes, people often find themselves at the losing end of resisting temptation, combating urges, and changing their behavior. One reason for these failures may be that exerting self-control depletes a limited resource (ego depletion) that is necessary for the success of self-control. Hence, after exerting self-control, individuals are less able resist temptations, fight urges, or stop a behavior that results in a loss of self-control. This chapter reviews the evidence for this theory in a wide variety of domains and examines what behaviors appear to deplete ego strength and how depletion affects behavior. A comprehensive theory that examines how depletion operates is put forth and used to examine some factors that might moderate the depletion effect.

scholarly journals Emotional, Cognitive and Self-Enhancement Processes in Aggressive Behavior After Interpersonal Rejection and Exclusion

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Rajchert
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model ◽  
Displaced Aggression ◽  
Cognitive Readiness ◽  
Interpersonal Rejection ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Exclusion Effect

The relationship between exclusion or rejection and aggression is already well documented, but there is still a debate about the mechanisms that underlie this effect. In two studies we focused on the propensity to react aggressively (readiness for aggression) on the bases of emotional, cognitive or self-enhancement (personality-immanent) processes. In both studies we first measured readiness for aggression and then ego-depleted participants. Next, in Study 1 we excluded participants (n = 96) using an online ball throwing game and measured displaced aggressive behavior - intensity and duration of an unpleasant noise administrated to a stranger. In Study 2 participants (n = 140) were rejected by a peer on the basis of an interview that they gave and then could retaliate by reducing peer's chance for getting a job. The results show that exclusion effect on displaced aggression was moderated by cognitive readiness for aggression, while rejection effect on retaliatory aggression was shaped by emotional and personality-immanent readiness for aggression as well as ego-depletion. The results were discussed in light of the strength model of self-control by Baumeister, Vohs, and Tice (2007).

scholarly journals A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762198973
Author(s):  
Kathleen D. Vohs ◽  
Brandon J. Schmeichel ◽  
Sophie Lohmann ◽  
Quentin F. Gronau ◽  
Anna J. Finley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Bayesian Analyses ◽  
Action Orientation ◽  
Replication Method ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Confirmatory Tests ◽  
Nonsignificant Result ◽  
Meta Analyses

We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project ( k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result ( d = 0.06). Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect ( d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses. Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.

Is Ego Depletion Real? An Analysis of Arguments

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Friese ◽  
David D. Loschelder ◽  
Karolin Gieseler ◽  
Julius Frankenbach ◽  
Michael Inzlicht
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
True Effect ◽  
Depletion Effect ◽  
Abundant Evidence ◽  
Control Failure ◽  
Future Work

An influential line of research suggests that initial bouts of self-control increase the susceptibility to self-control failure (ego depletion effect). Despite seemingly abundant evidence, some researchers have suggested that evidence for ego depletion was the sole result of publication bias and p-hacking, with the true effect being indistinguishable from zero. Here, we examine (a) whether the evidence brought forward against ego depletion will convince a proponent that ego depletion does not exist and (b) whether arguments that could be brought forward in defense of ego depletion will convince a skeptic that ego depletion does exist. We conclude that despite several hundred published studies, the available evidence is inconclusive. Both additional empirical and theoretical works are needed to make a compelling case for either side of the debate. We discuss necessary steps for future work toward this aim.

Ego depletion and the strength model of self-control: A meta-analysis.

2010 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin S. Hagger ◽  
Chantelle Wood ◽  
Chris Stiff ◽  
Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Strength Model
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