Abstract
The idea of ego-depletion has been examined extensively in western cultures, but cultural background might substantially influence the understanding and effect of the concept. In the present study we used Job et al. (2010) Implicit Theories on Willpower Questionnaire to examine whether Chinese college students, compared to United States students, are less inclined to believe that willpower depletes. Applying two-group confirmatory structural equation modeling, the questionnaire with its two subscales – depletion of mental resources (DMR) and depletion of resistance to temptation – showed consistent psychometrical qualities across both samples. As predicted, Chinese student believed less in the concept of DMR than United States students. However, Chinese students showed a stronger belief in the depletion of resisting temptation (DRT) compared to their United States counterparts, suggesting different normative contexts for the response to the two subscales across cultures.
Highlights
Concentrating on a cognitively challenging task for an extended time is a universal demand for college students
Individuals who have lower levels of perseverance or grit are associated with holding a belief of limited willpower (DMR) sub-scale (r = −0.17 with grit; r = −0.34 with perseverance), and r = −0.33 and r = −0.20 with depletion of resisting temptation (DRT) sub-scale, all α < 0.01)
Construct validity across cultures was confirmed by structural equation modeling including two other theoretically close latent variables, grit, and perseverance
Summary
Concentrating on a cognitively challenging task for an extended time is a universal demand for college students. Baumeister proposed a strength model of selfcontrol He compared self-control with a muscle: it has limited energy to control one’s behavior that depletes over time (ego-depletion or depletion of willpower, Muraven and Baumeister, 2000; Baumeister et al, 2007). This state of depletion was demonstrated for a wide array of tasks, ranging from impression management (Vohs et al, 2005), decision making (Pocheptsova et al, 2009), to vigilance performance (Smit et al, 2004). While those authors’ points are well-taken vis-à-vis the recent replication
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