Ego depletion
Encyclopedia
Ego depletion refers to the idea that self-control or willpower
is an exhaustible resource that can be used up. When that energy is low, mental activity that requires self-control is impaired. In other words, using one's self-control impairs the ability to control one's self later on. In this sense, the idea of limited willpower is accepted as correct. In an illustrative experiment on ego depletion, participants who controlled themselves by trying not to laugh while watching a comedian did worse on a later task that required self-control compared to participants who did not have to control their laughter while watching the video.
Much of the early research on ego depletion was performed by Roy Baumeister
, Mark Muraven, and their colleagues. In a recent series of studies, they suggest that a positive mood stimulus could help restore the depleted energy. They report on four studies where the positive mood stimulus was a surprise gift from watching short clips of stand-up comedy by Robin Williams
and Eddie Murphy
. They do not claim a general benefit in positive affect, i.e, benefit to people who had not previously engaged in self-regulatory tasks, rather the positive stimulus restores the capacity to self-regulate. The work is experimental and does not consider in depth the mechanisms by which performance is restored. Whether it is because of an actual restoration of self-regulatory resources or provides an additional motivation to press on with a depleted self remains an open question.
A 2010 study from Carol Dweck
and other researchers from Stanford University
, however, questions the ego depletion theory, and presents evidence that "a person's mindset and personal beliefs about willpower determine how long and how well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise".
Also social neurology reports the phenomenon:
Willpower
Willpower may refer to:*Self discipline, training and control of oneself and one's conduct, usually for personal improvement*Self control, the ability of a person to exert his/her will over the inhibitions of their body or self...
is an exhaustible resource that can be used up. When that energy is low, mental activity that requires self-control is impaired. In other words, using one's self-control impairs the ability to control one's self later on. In this sense, the idea of limited willpower is accepted as correct. In an illustrative experiment on ego depletion, participants who controlled themselves by trying not to laugh while watching a comedian did worse on a later task that required self-control compared to participants who did not have to control their laughter while watching the video.
Much of the early research on ego depletion was performed by Roy Baumeister
Roy Baumeister
Roy F. Baumeister is Francis Eppes Professor of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a social psychologist who is known for his work on the self, social rejection, belongingness, sexuality, self-control, self-esteem, self-defeating behaviors, motivation, and...
, Mark Muraven, and their colleagues. In a recent series of studies, they suggest that a positive mood stimulus could help restore the depleted energy. They report on four studies where the positive mood stimulus was a surprise gift from watching short clips of stand-up comedy by Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
and Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
. They do not claim a general benefit in positive affect, i.e, benefit to people who had not previously engaged in self-regulatory tasks, rather the positive stimulus restores the capacity to self-regulate. The work is experimental and does not consider in depth the mechanisms by which performance is restored. Whether it is because of an actual restoration of self-regulatory resources or provides an additional motivation to press on with a depleted self remains an open question.
A 2010 study from Carol Dweck
Carol Dweck
Carol S. Dweck is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. She graduated from Barnard College in 1967 and earned a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1972...
and other researchers from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, however, questions the ego depletion theory, and presents evidence that "a person's mindset and personal beliefs about willpower determine how long and how well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise".
Further reading
- Baumeister, R.F., Dewall, C.N., Ciarocco, N.J., & Twenge, J.M.. (2005), Social Exclusion Impairs Self-Regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 589-604, http://www.adler.edu/UserFiles/File/Social_Exclusion_Impairs_Self-Regulation_081607.pdf
- Muraven, M., & Baumeister, R. F. (2000). Self-regulation and depletion of limited resources: Does self-control resemble a muscle? Psychological Bulletin, 126, 247-259.
Also social neurology reports the phenomenon:
- Campbell, W. Keith, Elizabeth Krusemark, Kara Dyckman, Amy Brunell, Jennifer McDowell, Jean Twenge, Brett Clementz, (2006), A magnetoencephalography investigation of neural correlates for social exclusion and self-control, Social Neuroscience, Volume 1, Issue 2, http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/index/L667616200753854.pdf