The proposed studies are designed tovarify and build on preliminary evidence that all the self's acts of volition-choice, responsibility, initiative, self-regulation, controlled processing - draw on the same very limited resource, which is easily depleted by self-control or decision-making. Once depleted, this aspect of the self is then of ten unable or disinclined to cope with furthe demands or choices, and the results may include a passive reluctance to face up to decisions as well as broad failures of self-control. Passivity and self-control failure are central to many health and adjustment problems, including addiction, failure to take prescribed medication, procrastination, burnout, and binge eating. The first section of this proposal seeks to verify and extend preliminary evidence that self-control is a limited resources subject to depletion or fatigue. After people exert self-control, are they less able to control themselves in a second, seemingly unrelated sphere? Laboratory experiments will examine successive self-control exertions in unrelated spheres for evidence of fatigue or depletion. The second section moves from the relatively narrow focus on self-control to the broader concern with the self's choice-making activity in general. The key theoretical question is whether that limited resource used for self-control is the same resource or energy that the self uses for making all its decisions and choices, for initiating action, and for taking responsibility. If so, then that stock of energy is indeed one of the most central and important features of the self. The research plan is to show that active choice-making impairs subsequent self-control, and vice versa. The third section of the proposal addresses a key theoretical question surrounding this vital aspect of the self. Is the drop in self-control after an initial exertion due to a loss of motivation or of ability? Our model suggests that the self responds to depletion of its regulatory energy by trying to conserve what energy is left, even though it could make another exertion if necessary. Passivity and inaction may thus be strategic and even adaptive. The fourth section will explore several implications and applications of the depletion of self: vulnerability to loss of self-esteem from ego threat; prejudice; procrastination; and overeating.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH057039-03
Application #
6071302
Study Section
Social and Group Processes Review Committee (SGP)
Program Officer
Morf, Carolyn
Project Start
1997-05-01
Project End
2002-04-30
Budget Start
1999-05-01
Budget End
2000-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
DeWall, C Nathan; Baumeister, Roy F; Mead, Nicole L et al. (2011) How leaders self-regulate their task performance: evidence that power promotes diligence, depletion, and disdain. J Pers Soc Psychol 100:47-65
DeWall, C Nathan; Baumeister, Roy F; Vohs, Kathleen D (2008) Satiated with belongingness? Effects of acceptance, rejection, and task framing on self-regulatory performance. J Pers Soc Psychol 95:1367-82
Vohs, Kathleen D; Baumeister, Roy F; Schmeichel, Brandon J et al. (2008) Making choices impairs subsequent self-control: a limited-resource account of decision making, self-regulation, and active initiative. J Pers Soc Psychol 94:883-98
Baumeister, Roy F; Vohs, Kathleen D; DeWall, C Nathan et al. (2007) How emotion shapes behavior: feedback, anticipation, and reflection, rather than direct causation. Pers Soc Psychol Rev 11:167-203
Baumeister, Roy F; DeWall, C Nathan; Ciarocco, Natalie J et al. (2005) Social exclusion impairs self-regulation. J Pers Soc Psychol 88:589-604
Vohs, Kathleen D; Baumeister, Roy F; Ciarocco, Natalie J (2005) Self-regulation and self-presentation: regulatory resource depletion impairs impression management and effortful self-presentation depletes regulatory resources. J Pers Soc Psychol 88:632-57
Tangney, June P; Baumeister, Roy F; Boone, Angie Luzio (2004) High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. J Pers 72:271-324
Schmeichel, Brandon J; Vohs, Kathleen D; Baumeister, Roy F (2003) Intellectual performance and ego depletion: role of the self in logical reasoning and other information processing. J Pers Soc Psychol 85:33-46
Baumeister, Roy F (2003) Ego depletion and self-regulation failure: a resource model of self-control. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 27:281-4
Bushman, B J; Baumeister, R F; Phillips, C M (2001) Do people aggress to improve their mood? Catharsis beliefs, affect regulation opportunity, and aggressive responding. J Pers Soc Psychol 81:17-32

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