A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect.
Vohs Kathleen D, Schmeichel Brandon J, Lohmann Sophie, Gronau Quentin F, Finley Anna J, Ainsworth Sarah E, Alquist Jessica L, Baker Michael D, Brizi Ambra, Bunyi Angelica, Butschek Grant J, Campbell Collier, Capaldi Jonathan, Cau Chuting, Chambers Heather, Chatzisarantis Nikos L D, Christensen Weston J, Clay Samuel L, Curtis Jessica, De Cristofaro Valeria, Del Rosario Kareena, Diel Katharina, Doğruol Yasemin, Doi Megan, Donaldson Tina L, Eder Andreas B, Ersoff Mia, Eyink Julie R, Falkenstein Angelica, Fennis Bob M, Findley Matthew B, Finkel Eli J, Forgea Victoria, Friese Malte, Fuglestad Paul, Garcia-Willingham Natasha E, Geraedts Lea F, Gervais Will M, Giacomantonio Mauro, Gibson Bryan, Gieseler Karolin, Gineikiene Justina, Gloger Elana M, Gobes Carina M, Grande Maria, Hagger Martin S, Hartsell Bethany, Hermann Anthony D, Hidding Jasper J, Hirt Edward R, Hodge Josh, Hofmann Wilhelm, Howell Jennifer L, Hutton Robert D, Inzlicht Michael, James Lily, Johnson Emily, Johnson Hannah L, Joyce Sarah M, Joye Yannick, Kaben Jan Helge, Kammrath Lara K, Kelly Caitlin N, Kissell Brian L, Koole Sander L, Krishna Anand, Lam Christine, Lee Kelemen T, Lee Nick, Leighton Dana C, Loschelder David D, Maranges Heather M, Masicampo E J, Mazara Kennedy, McCarthy Samantha, McGregor Ian, Mead Nicole L, Mendes Wendy B, Meslot Carine, Michalak Nicholas M, Milyavskaya Marina, Miyake Akira, Moeini-Jazani Mehrad, Muraven Mark, Nakahara Erin, Patel Krishna, Petrocelli John V, Pollak Katja M, Price Mindi M, Ramsey Haley J, Rath Maximilian, Robertson Jacob A, Rockwell Rachael, Russ Isabella F, Salvati Marco, Saunders Blair, Scherer Anne, Schütz Astrid, Schmitt Kristin N, Segerstrom Suzanne C, Serenka Benjamin, Sharpinskyi Konstantyn, Shaw Meaghan, Sherman Janelle, Song Yu, Sosa Nicholas, Spillane Kaitlyn, Stapels Julia, Stinnett Alec J, Strawser Hannah R, Sweeny Kate, Theodore Dominic, Tonnu Karine, van Oldenbeuving Yasmijn, vanDellen Michelle R, Vergara Raiza C, Walker Jasmine S, Waugh Christian E, Weise Feline, Werner Kaitlyn M, Wheeler Craig, White Rachel A, Wichman Aaron L, Wiggins Bradford J, Wills Julian A, Wilson Janie H, Wagenmakers Eric-Jan, Albarracín Dolores
Psychological science · 2021 · PMID 34520296
We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project (k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result (d = 0.06).
Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect (d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses.
Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.