A Schema-Activation Approach to Failure and Success in Self-Control.

Alex Bertrams

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02256

Abstract

Numerous studies confirm the so-called ego depletion effect (i.e., self-control is impaired after an initial unrelated self-control task). During recent years, the criticism on this limited-resource approach to willpower has increased, and alternative models have been developed. I argue that the existing models cannot explain the variety of results found in the ego depletion literature and introduce the schema model of self-control. Referring to related schema conceptions (i.e., illness schemas and emotion schemas), I posit that the processes that cause ego depletion effects occur around the activation of the fatigue/decreased vitality schema. This schema becomes activated via the registration of behavioral and physiological changes related to exercising self-control. The activation of the schema should instigate the motivation to conserve energy and, therefore, cause reduced effort and decreased performance in a subsequent self-control task. Moderator variables (e.g., energy supply) should influence the (non)activation of the fatigue/decreased vitality schema or its consequences.

Highlights

There is much consensus in the literature that self-control is an important ingredient for human self-regulation, which allows people to achieve long-term goals, such as academic success or health (e.g., Tangney et al, 2004; Crescioni et al, 2011; Duckworth and Seligman, 2017), and avoid unethical behaviors (e.g., Li et al, 2020; Ming et al, 2020)
I assume that the previously demonstrated detrimental effect of a first self-control demand on subsequent self-control performance is mediated via the activation of a fatigue/decreased vitality schema
Central to the schema model of self-control is a fatigue/decreased vitality schema, which is activated by certain kinds of perceptions and can potentially cause motivational and behavioral changes in a given situation

Summary

Introduction

There is much consensus in the literature that self-control is an important ingredient for human self-regulation, which allows people to achieve long-term goals, such as academic success or health (e.g., Tangney et al, 2004; Crescioni et al, 2011; Duckworth and Seligman, 2017), and avoid unethical behaviors (e.g., Li et al, 2020; Ming et al, 2020). Central to the schema model of self-control is a fatigue/decreased vitality schema (see the middle of Figure 1), which is activated by certain kinds of perceptions and can potentially cause motivational and behavioral changes in a given situation. If individuals experience working a task as easy and requiring little effort, there is no change from an easy to an effortful behavior, which could be registered and activate the fatigue/decreased vitality schema.

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Conclusion