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Self-regulatory failure: a resource-depletion approach.

K D Vohs¹, T F Heatherton

¹Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Moore Hall 6207, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. vohs@dartmouth.edu

Psychological Science

|March 29, 2001

Summary

Exerting self-control depletes resources, impairing subsequent self-regulation. This effect occurs when self-control is demanded, not due to mood changes, impacting volitional control.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Science
Cognitive Psychology

Background:

Self-regulation is crucial for goal achievement and impulse control.
Previous research suggests self-control can be effortful and finite.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the behavioral consequences of effortful self-regulation.
To examine if exerting self-control in one situation affects subsequent self-regulatory capacity.

Main Methods:

Three studies exposed participants with eating inhibitions to varying self-regulatory demands.
Demand manipulation included resisting tempting snacks and controlling emotional expressions.
Subsequent tasks measured participants' ability to self-regulate.

Main Results:

Exerting self-control in an initial task led to significant decrements in self-control on a subsequent task.
These effects were observed only when self-control was actively required in the first task.
The observed decrements were not attributable to changes in participants' affective state.

Conclusions:

Findings support the resource depletion model of self-regulation.
Effortful self-control draws upon a limited pool of resources, leading to impaired volitional control when depleted.
Understanding resource depletion is key for interventions aimed at enhancing self-regulatory success.

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