Is Ego Depletion Real? An Analysis of Arguments

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

An influential line of research suggests that initial bouts of self-control increase the susceptibility to self-control failure (ego depletion effect). Despite seemingly abundant evidence, some researchers have suggested that evidence for ego depletion was the sole result of publication bias and p-hacking, with the true effect being indistinguishable from zero. Here, we examine (a) whether the evidence brought forward against ego depletion will convince a proponent that ego depletion does not exist and (b) whether arguments that could be brought forward in defense of ego depletion will convince a skeptic that ego depletion does exist. We conclude that despite several hundred published studies, the available evidence is inconclusive. Both additional empirical and theoretical works are needed to make a compelling case for either side of the debate. We discuss necessary steps for future work toward this aim.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftPersonality and Social Psychology Review
Jahrgang23
Ausgabenummer2
Seiten (von - bis)107-131
Anzahl der Seiten25
ISSN1088-8683
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 01.05.2019

DOI