Conformity and dietary disinhibition: a test of the ego-strength model of self-regulation.
OBJECTIVE
Ego-strength depletion was examined as an explanation for dietary disinhibition in restrained eaters. We predicted that the depletion of ego strength resulting from having to choose whether to conform would undermine dietary restraint.


METHODS
Participants completed an Asch-type conformity task, after which they completed a taste-rating task in which food intake was measured.


RESULTS
As predicted, restrained eaters who repeatedly exercised choice ate significantly more than did restrained eaters who did not exercise choice.


CONCLUSIONS
An ego-strength model of dietary restraint is discussed.
Kahan
Dana
D
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dana@psych.utoronto.ca
Polivy
Janet
J
Herman
C Peter
CP
D003071:Cognition; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D004532:Ego; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012925:Social Conformity; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D014796:Visual Perception