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Why self-control seems (but may not be) limited
Michael Inzlicht1, Brandon J Schmeichel2, C Neil Macrae3
1University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Toronto, Canada; Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|January 21, 2014
Summary
Self-control may not rely on a limited resource. Instead, failures in self-control might stem from motivated shifts in priorities between demanding tasks and preferred leisure activities.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Self-control is crucial for adaptive behavior, involving overriding thoughts and emotions.
- The dominant theory posits self-control relies on a limited resource, leading to ego depletion after exertion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the limited resource model of self-control.
- To propose an alternative, non-resource-based model of self-control.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical critique of existing ego depletion research.
- Development of a competing model focusing on motivated task-switching.
Main Results:
- Identified theoretical and empirical issues with the ego depletion viewpoint.
- Proposed that self-control failures arise from motivated prioritization between 'have-to' and 'want-to' goals.
Conclusions:
- Self-control failures are not necessarily due to resource depletion.
- Regulatory failures can be understood as adaptive shifts in cognitive priorities to balance effort and leisure.
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