Self-regulation and depletion of limited resources: does self-control resemble a muscle?
The authors review evidence that self-control may consume a limited resource. Exerting self-control may consume self-control strength, reducing the amount of strength available for subsequent self-control efforts. Coping with stress, regulating negative affect, and resisting temptations require self-control, and after such self-control efforts, subsequent attempts at self-control are more likely to fail. Continuous self-control efforts, such as vigilance, also degrade over time. These decrements in self-control are probably not due to negative moods or learned helplessness produced by the initial self-control attempt. These decrements appear to be specific to behaviors that involve self-control; behaviors that do not require self-control neither consume nor require self-control strength. It is concluded that the executive component of the self--in particular, inhibition--relies on a limited, consumable resource.
Muraven
M
M
Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, USA. muraven@ria.org
Baumeister
R F
RF
D001288:Attention; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009042:Motivation; D005082:Physical Exertion