Self Regulation Part 2 Flashcards
Some researchers have argued that the ego depletion effect
doesn’t exist or that the effect is very small if it does exist
2014 meta-analysis RESULTS
studies concluded that the size of ego depletion effect is small and not sig. different from 0
2021study RESULTS
found no reliable effect of ego depletion
But…another 2021 multi-site replication conducted in 12 labs showed
small, but significant effect
Publication bias for positive results
- When studies do not produce the predicted outcome, they are not published
- Leads to only “successful” studies being published resulting in the inflation of an effect
There probably is an effect (intuitive and lots of findings) but have to figure out under what circumstances it exists
- Many studies using general ego depletion methodology assume that the1stand 2nd tasks rely on self-control, rather than explicitly testing this assumption
- Need to figure out which tasks do and which tasks do not rely on self-control
- Individual differences?
- Possible that ego depletion effects are stronger for some people or in some situations, but not others
Reliance on lab studies which may not reflect what’s going on in the real world
Field research would help clarify under what circumstances ego depletion exists
People vary in
Trait self-control
*Consistently better able to successfully deal with self-control dilemmas
Studies shows that higher trait self-control is associated with:
- Better performance at school and work
- Sustaining healthy relationships
- Less binge-eating
- Higher overall psychological well-being
We tend to think that people high on trait self-control are good at
effortfully resisting temptation/ have more willpower
BUT, in everyday life, people high on trait self-control experience
fewer self-control dilemmas than low trait self-control people
People high on trait self-control
- Report fewer experiences of temptation in everyday life
- Suggests that they’re hardly using effortful self-control
Why Do High Trait Self-Control Experience Less Temptation?
1) Better at setting goals that are
intrinsically rewarding
Why Do High Trait Self-Control Experience Less Temptation?
2) Set-up and follow
routines and habits
Why Do High Trait Self-Control Experience Less Temptation?
3) Structure their lives in such a way that
they don’t experience temptation
Why Do High Trait Self-Control Experience Less Temptation?
4) Identify self-control dilemmas
earlier
STUDY: food on computer task: RESULTS Higher trait self control…
Predicted weaker feelings of conflict (explicit self-control dilemma)
* BUT not related to average degree of “pull”
*Suggests that high and low trait self-control people experience same amount of temptation on an unconscious level
- Predicted earlier “peak pull”
- Suggests that high trait self-control people detected self-control dilemma earlier
- Predicted faster RT for correctly classifying food(healthy= positive, unhealthy = negative)
- Suggests that resolved self-control dilemma faster
High trait self-control people are detecting self-control dilemmas
earlier which allows them to deal with them in a faster and more efficient way at an unconscious level
So good at this that they don’t
don’t consciously experience the temptation!
People that have good self-control are exercising this ability effortlessly by
relying on automatic processes
- Habits and routines
- Reducing exposure to temptation
- Earlier temptation detection
Implies that if you want to improve your chances of completing a goal, make your behaviour
as automatic as possible
Define Implementation Intentions
Very specific plan about how you will achieve a goal in a particular situation
* Link a situation with a specific action
* “When situation X arises, I will perform response Y”
Solve problem of goals being too
vague and increases your commitment by focusing on one method of achieving a goal
Having too many ways to complete a goal reduces
commitment to
any one particular option making you less likely to complete the goal
