Using the Networked Fire Chief for Ego-Depletion Research: Measuring Dynamic Decision-Making Effort and Performance

Abstract

This study replicated ego-depletion predictions from the self-control literature in a computer simulation task that requires ongoing decision-making in relation to constantly changing environmental information: the Network Fire Chief (NFC). Ego-depletion led to decreased self-regulatory effort, but not performance, on the NFC task. These effects were also buffered by task enjoyment so that individuals who enjoyed the dynamic decision-making task did not experience ego-depletion effects. These findings confirm that past ego-depletion effects on decision-making are not limited to static or isolated decision-making tasks and can be extended to dynamic, naturalistic decision-making processes more common to naturalistic settings. Furthermore, the NFC simulation provides a methodological mechanism for independently measuring effort and performance when studying ego-depletion.

Keywords:

• computer microworlds
• dynamic decision-making
• ego-depletion
• motivation
• self-control

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Liesl Becker for her assistance with data collection and David C. Munz for comments on an earlier version of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Larissa K. Barber

Larissa K. Barber is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University.

Brandon W. Smit

Brandon W. Smit is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University.