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Related Experiment Video

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Closed-loop Neuro-robotic Experiments to Test Computational Properties of Neuronal Networks

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Published on: March 2, 2015

Running on empty: neural signals for self-control failure.

Michael Inzlicht¹, Jennifer N Gutsell

¹Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. michael.inzlicht@utoronto.ca

Psychological Science

|October 26, 2007

Summary

Effortful self-control depletes neural resources for conflict monitoring. This leads to impaired performance on subsequent tasks, as seen in weaker error-related negativity (ERN) signals.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Social Neuroscience

Background:

Self-control is a finite resource that can be depleted by exertion.
Previous research suggests that initial efforts in self-regulation can impair subsequent control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural mechanisms behind self-control failure.
To determine if effortful emotion regulation depletes neural systems responsible for conflict monitoring.

Main Methods:

Participants watched an emotional movie, either normally or while suppressing emotions.
Following the movie, participants completed a Stroop task while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded.
The error-related negativity (ERN), linked to the anterior cingulate cortex, was measured.

Main Results:

Individuals who suppressed emotions performed worse on the Stroop task compared to controls.
This performance deficit was associated with diminished ERN signals.
Weaker ERN indicates that prior regulatory effort constrained the conflict-monitoring system.

Conclusions:

The findings provide a neural basis for the self-regulatory-strength model.
This study highlights the impact of emotion regulation on cognitive control.
The results underscore the value of social neuroscience in understanding self-control.