Ego Depletion in Real-Time: An Examination of the Sequential-Task Paradigm

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Current self-control research faces an impasse due to untested assumptions in the sequential task methodology.
• Strength (finite resource) models of self-regulation lack empirical support for key assumptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test the assumption that performance declines over time on tasks depleting self-regulatory resources.
• To investigate depletion effects in real-time using letter-crossing tasks, independent of habit formation/breaking.
• To examine moderation by administration type (paper/pencil vs. computer).

Main Methods:

• Five studies utilized letter-crossing tasks designed to tax self-control resources.
• Varied sample characteristics, administration methods (paper/pencil, computer), and response formats.
• Assessed performance deficits (errors) over time and negative transfer effects to a working memory task.

Main Results:

• A consistent pattern of increasing performance deficits (errors) emerged as a function of time spent on task, with generally large effects.
• Depletion effects were observed in real-time, irrespective of habit-related task components.
• Individual differences in depletion moderated the strength of negative transfer effects to a working memory task.

Conclusions:

• The findings demonstrate that self-regulatory resource depletion occurs during letter-crossing tasks.
• The precise mechanism of depletion (resource reservoir vs. other factors) requires further investigation.