The strength model of self control

Question 1

self control definition

Answer 1

• capacity for altering one’s own responses
• is eliberate, conscious

Question 2

Inadequate self-control + ego depletion

Answer 2

• Just as a muscle gets tired, self-control causes short term impairments ( ego depletion)
• motivational factors can temporarily block deleterious effects of being in ego depletion
  -inadequate self-control links to ben + impulse-control problems
• ego depletion = state of diminished resource following exertion of self-control

Question 3

limited resource

Answer 3

• self-control depends on limited energy resource - Baumeister et al
• self-control is vulnerable to deterioration over time from repeated exertions
• resembles a muscle getting tired

Question 4

Testing depleted resource hypothesis

Answer 4

-ppts perform self-control task others perform neutral task
- asked to perform an unrelated self-control task
- Baumeister et al found suppressing forbidden thought weakened ability to stifle laughter after

Question 5

self-controI + glucose

Answer 5

• Gailliot et al
  -self-control reduces blood- glucose levels which predicts poor self-control on beh task

Question 6

strength model

Answer 6

• signs that regular exertions of self-control can improve willpower ( resistance to depletion) strength- Baumeister
  -daily exercise gradually improves self-control

Question 7

conservation hypothesis

Answer 7

-people can exert self-control despite ego depletion if stakes are high enough
-offering cash motives for good performance counteracts ego depletion

Question 8

practical applications of self-control

Answer 8

• associated with good adjustment, secure attachment (Tangney et al)
  -poor self-control = elevated psychopathological symptoms, increased vulnerability to substance- abuse disorders
  -logical reasoning depends on self-control + performance on these tasks dip when people are depleted