Self-control and Self-control Resource

Abstract

Self-control is an important function for individual survival and adaptation. Over the past 10 years,theoretical and empirical researches of self-control have been focused on the theory of limited self-control resource. In fact,the resource for self-control is limited. When self-control resource is over consumed,ego-depletion will be initiated,which can adversely affect the individual's performance in the aspects of emotion,cognition,and behavior. Individual's emotion regulation,thought inhibition and distraction control might lead to ego-depletion,but the recovery of self-control resources could be effectively promoted through sleep,relaxation,positive mood induction or other ways. Future studies should further define the psychological and physiological mechanism of ego-depletion,and explore the inherent relationship between ego-depletion and other factors that might also affect individual's self-control behaviour.