Self-Control is a Limited Resource: It Fatigues Like a Muscle

Self-control weakens as it is used, so that continuous attempts at self-control are increasingly likely to fail [1]: People who forced themselves to eat radishes instead of tempting chocolates, or who tried to suppress their emotions, subsequently quit faster when working on puzzles [2].  Trying to regulate one's emotional response to an upsetting movie was followed by a decrease in physical stamina, suppressing forbidden thoughts led to a subsequent tendency to give up faster when working on puzzles, and suppressing one's thoughts impaired subsequent efforts to control expression of amusement and enjoyment [3].  Making decisions, as opposed to just thinking about options without making decisions between consumer goods or between college classes, reduced subsequent self-control in the form of having less physical and mental (persistence in math problems) stamina [4].  Motivation, in the form of knowing that one's efforts would help others or one-self can eliminate the reduction in self-control with use, depending on motivation levels [5]. 

In other words, without finding motivation, doing things we don't like is short lived.  Eating radishes will help keep you alive longer than eating sweets, so a recognition of delayed gratification (live longer from radishes) rather than short-term gratification (sweets) provides stamina in self-control.  Perhaps this is because motivation replaces the NEED for self-control i.e. living longer becomes a desired objective, making radishes a desired objective, rather than something consumed against one's will.  Addiction research supports this idea in that the two things critical for overcoming addictive habits are an acceptance a new vision of one's self, implying a new motivation to take care of one's self.

Thank you Debra Moffitt for making me aware of these papers.  Debra writes articles for young athletes at www.kidshealth.org/kid/nutrition
1. "Self-regulation and depletion of limited resources: does self-control resemble a muscle?", Muraven M and Baumeister RF, Psychol Bull 126 (2000) 247
2. "Ego depletion: is the active self a limited resource?", Baumeister RF et al., J Pers Soc Psychol 74 (1998) 1252
3. "Self-control as a limited resource: regulatory depletion patterns", Muraven M et al., J Pers Soc Psychol 74 (1998) 774
4. "Making choices impairs subsequent self-control: a limited-resource account of decision making, self-regulation, and active initiative.", Vohs KD et al., J Pers Soc Psychol 94 (2008) 883
5. "Mechanisms of self-control failure: motivation and limited resources", Muraven M and Slessareva E, J Pers Soc Psychol 29 (2003) 894

Comments

[Acai Optimum]

Hi, am just wondering if i could get any form of advice from you... I've tried different pills and ways to eat healthy still no changes, i just need to reduce my weight, please advice

[Zach Landman]

Nice article Clyde. As always, a really interesting topic with great sources. What have you been up to/working on? Another book? Bars? Clyde TV?