Distracting the Self: Shifting Attention Prevents Ego Depletion

Abstract

The present research tested predictions of the strength model of self-control and delay of gratification by examining the effects of initial self-control attempts and also attention on performance. Participants completed a series of two identical physical self-control tasks, namely holding up a weight, under varying conditions. The results showed that performance decrements can be overcome by attentional strategies. When participants distracted themselves by performing a calculation task during the second self-control measurement, they did not show a decline in performance. In contrast, participants who did not distract themselves and those who instead focused on their muscles while holding up the weight, performed significantly worse on the second measurement. Interestingly, the distraction task reduced regulatory performance when it was performed before the second measurement.

Keywords:

• Self-control
• Attention
• Ego depletion
• Distraction
• Self-regulation

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, Grant No. NWO, Grant No. 402-01-049).

Fleurie E. R. M. Nievelstein is now at the Educational Technology Expertise Centre, Open Universiteit Nederland, Heerlen, The Netherlands

Notes

1. Including the five outliers in the analysis did not lead to a different pattern of results.