A Multilab Preregistered Replication of the Ego-Depletion Effect.
Hagger Martin S, Chatzisarantis Nikos L D, Alberts Hugo, Anggono Calvin Octavianus, Batailler Cédric, Birt Angela R, Brand Ralf, Brandt Mark J, Brewer Gene, Bruyneel Sabrina, Calvillo Dustin P, Campbell W Keith, Cannon Peter R, Carlucci Marianna, Carruth Nicholas P, Cheung Tracy, Crowell Adrienne, De Ridder Denise T D, Dewitte Siegfried, Elson Malte, Evans Jacqueline R, Fay Benjamin A, Fennis Bob M, Finley Anna, Francis Zoë, Heise Elke, Hoemann Henrik, Inzlicht Michael, Koole Sander L, Koppel Lina, Kroese Floor, Lange Florian, Lau Kevin, Lynch Bridget P, Martijn Carolien, Merckelbach Harald, Mills Nicole V, Michirev Alexej, Miyake Akira, Mosser Alexandra E, Muise Megan, Muller Dominique, Muzi Milena, Nalis Dario, Nurwanti Ratri, Otgaar Henry, Philipp Michael C, Primoceri Pierpaolo, Rentzsch Katrin, Ringos Lara, Schlinkert Caroline, Schmeichel Brandon J, Schoch Sarah F, Schrama Michel, Schütz Astrid, Stamos Angelos, Tinghög Gustav, Ullrich Johannes, vanDellen Michelle, Wimbarti Supra, Wolff Wanja, Yusainy Cleoputri, Zerhouni Oulmann, Zwienenberg Maria
Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science · 2016 · PMID 27474142
Good self-control has been linked to adaptive outcomes such as better health, cohesive personal relationships, success in the workplace and at school, and less susceptibility to crime and addictions. In contrast, self-control failure is linked to maladaptive outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms by which self-control predicts behavior may assist in promoting better regulation and outcomes.
A popular approach to understanding self-control is the strength or resource depletion model. Self-control is conceptualized as a limited resource that becomes depleted after a period of exertion resulting in self-control failure. The model has typically been tested using a sequential-task experimental paradigm, in which people completing an initial self-control task have reduced self-control capacity and poorer performance on a subsequent task, a state known as ego depletion Although a meta-analysis of ego-depletion experiments found a medium-sized effect, subsequent meta-analyses have questioned the size and existence of the effect and identified instances of possible bias.
The analyses served as a catalyst for the current Registered Replication Report of the ego-depletion effect. Multiple laboratories (k = 23, total N = 2,141) conducted replications of a standardized ego-depletion protocol based on a sequential-task paradigm by Sripada et al. Meta-analysis of the studies revealed that the size of the ego-depletion effect was small with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that encompassed zero (d = 0.04, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.15].
We discuss implications of the findings for the ego-depletion effect and the resource depletion model of self-control.