The Sprinter Effect: When Involvement and Self-Control Fail to Overcome Ego-Depletion


Speaker


Abstract

This research examines the joint effect of dispositional self-control and situational involvement on ego-depletion and on subsequent performance in consumption-related tasks. Contrary to past studies which have shown that involvement or self-control, separately, help cope with ego-depletion, this research contends that being both highly involved and having high self-control does not lead to an additive effect but rather jeopardizes one's ability to overcome ego-depletion, resulting in poorer performance on subsequent consumption activities. We term this the “sprinter effect”. Four studies in both lab and field settings demonstrate this phenomenon and determine its boundary conditions.
 
Contact information:
Dr. B. Donkers
Email