The strength model of self-control proposes that all acts of self-control are energized by one global limited resource that becomes temporarily depleted by a primary self-control task, leading to impaired self-control performance in secondary self-control tasks. However, failed replications have cast doubt on the existence of this so-called ego depletion effect. Here, we investigated between-task (i.e. variation in self-control tasks) and within-task variation (i.e. task duration) as possible explanations for the conflicting literature on ego depletion effects. In a high-powered experiment (N = 709 participants), we used two established self-control tasks (Stroop task, transcription task) to test how variations in the duration of primary and secondary self-control tasks (2, 4, 8, or 16 minutes per task) affect the occurrence of an ego depletion effect (i.e., impaired performance in the secondary task). In line with the ego depletion hypothesis, subjects perceived longer lasting secondary tasks as more self-control demanding. Contrary to the ego depletion hypothesis, however, performance did neither suffer from prior self-control exertion, nor as a function of task duration. If anything, performance tended to improve when the primary self-control task lasted longer. These effects did not differ between the two self-control tasks, suggesting that the observed null findings were independent of task type.

People who believe that willpower is not limited exhibit higher self-regulation and well-being than people who believe that willpower is a limited resource. So far, only little is known about the antecedents of people’s beliefs about willpower. Three studies examine whether autonomous goal striving promotes the endorsement of a nonlimited belief and whether this relationship is mediated by vitality, the feeling of being awake and energetic. Study 1 ( n = 208) showed that autonomous goal striving predicts a change in willpower beliefs over 4 months and that this change is mediated by vitality. Study 2 ( n = 92) replicated this finding using experience sampling assessments of vitality. Experimental Study 3 ( n = 243) showed that inducing an autonomous mind-set enhances people’s endorsement of a nonlimited belief by fostering vitality. The studies support the idea that what people believe about willpower depends, at least in part, on recent experiences with tasks as being energizing or draining.

What people believe about their capacity to exert self-control (willpower), whether it is a limited or a nonlimited resource, affects their self-regulation and well-being. The present research investigated age-related differences in people's beliefs-called implicit theories-about willpower. Study 1 (n = 802, age range 18-83 years) showed that with higher age people are more likely to believe that willpower is a nonlimited resource. Study 2 (n = 423) with younger (age 18-35 years) and older adults (age 60-98 years) replicated this finding and showed that age and a nonlimited willpower theory are related to perceived autonomy on demanding tasks (i.e., sense of self-determination), which might explain the age-related differences in willpower theories. Finally, experimental Studies 3a (n = 302) and 3b (n = 497) manipulated an autonomous mindset in younger (age 18-35 years) and older adults (age 60-87 years) and provided evidence for a causal effect of perceived autonomy on self-control-beliefs, supporting the proposed developmental mechanism. (PsycINFO Database Record

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24The strength model of self-control proposes that all acts of self-control are energized by one 25 global limited resource that becomes temporarily depleted by a primary self-control task, 26 leading to impaired self-control performance in secondary self-control tasks. However, failed 27 replications have cast doubt on the existence of this so-called ego depletion effect. Here, we 28 investigated between-task (i.e. variation in self-control tasks) and within-task variation (i.e. 29 task duration) as possible explanations for the conflicting literature on ego depletion effects. 30In a high-powered experiment (N = 709 participants), we used two established self-control 31 tasks (Stroop task, transcription task) to test how variations in the duration of primary and 32 secondary self-control tasks (2, 4, 8, or 16 minutes per task) affect the occurrence of an ego 33 depletion effect (i.e., impaired performance in the secondary task). 34In line with the ego depletion hypothesis, subjects perceived longer lasting secondary tasks as 35 more self-control demanding. Contrary to the ego depletion hypothesis, however, 36 performance did neither suffer from prior self-control exertion, nor as a function of task 37 duration. If anything, performance tended to improve when the primary self-control task 38 lasted longer. These effects did not differ between the two self-control tasks, suggesting that 39 the observed null findings were independent of task type. 40 41 42 43 Keywords: ego depletion, self-control, strength model of self-control, Stroop, transcription 44 45 46 Task Duration and Task Order do not Matter: No Effect on Self-Control Performance 48Despite best intentions, self-control does not always work effectively 1 . One of the 49 most popular explanations for this impaired ability to exert self-control has been offered by 50 the strength model of self-control 2 . It defines self-control as a volitional act that enables 51 people to regulate certain behavioral tendencies or dominant impulses to accomplish long-52 term goals 3 . For instance, a long-term goal might be to lose weight. Then, self-control is 53 needed to restrain oneself from temptations (e.g., eating a delicious piece of cake) that would 54 lead to immediate joy and gratification but interfere with attaining the long-term weight goal. 55According to Baumeister and colleagues 3 , the capacity for such acts of self-control relies on a 56 global, limited resource that is required to regulate all aspects of self-regulatory behavior 57 (e.g., emotion regulation, attention regulation; e.g., 4 . Exerting self-control for a certain 58 amount of time is assumed to deplete this resource; and because it is not immediately 59 replenished, performance in subsequent situations that require self-control is impaired. This 60 state of temporary self-control exhaustion is termed ego depletion (e.g., 3 ). 61In order to investigate the ego depletion effect, participants first work on a primary 62 task which does (i.e. ego depletion condition) or does not require self-contr...

a b s t r a c tThe empirical evidence for the relationship between autonomy-supportive environments and physiological stress is inconsistent. Whereas some studies report a decrease in stress in autonomy-supportive environments, other studies show a negative effect of autonomy on physiological stress. As previous research has not considered individual differences within this relationship, the present research aims to close this empirical gap by proposing that an implicit autonomy disposition, which is defined as a dispositional preference for self-determination, serves as a moderator. In an experiment, we tested whether the autonomy disposition moderates the effect of different teaching styles (controlling, autonomy-supportive, and neutral) on the acute physiological stress response (salivary alpha-amylase) in adolescents (N = 69). The study revealed that participants with a high implicit autonomy disposition displayed lower salivary alpha-amylase responses when exposed to autonomy-supportive vignettes compared to when they were exposed to controlling or neutral teaching styles. The opposite pattern was found in students with a low implicit autonomy disposition. The results illustrate that experimentally induced variations in autonomy support lead to different physiological stress responses, depending on individual differences in the implicit autonomy disposition.

Although providing support in romantic relationships is important for the well-being of both partners, providing support can be effortful. People have varying implicit theories about the exertion of effort; limited willpower theorists believe that mental resources become exhausted with use, while nonlimited willpower theorists believe that exerting effort can even prepare you for future exertion. While limited willpower theorists are more likely to experience depletion and limitations themselves, they may also be more likely to perceive and empathize with the depletion and limitations of their romantic partners. We conducted a daily diary study ( N = 363; 1,429 observations) to examine how willpower theories relate to participants’ intentions to support their romantic partners in the evenings. We find that limited theorists report their partners as more tired (predicting more intention to support)—however, limited theorists also report more fatigue and lower mood themselves (predicting less intention to support). Overall, limited willpower beliefs were associated with less, not more, intent to support one’s partner for the rest of the evening. Even if limited willpower theories improve people’s abilities to perceive their partner’s fatigue, at the end of the day, they may not feel they have the mental resources to support their romantic partners.

Autonomy as a Predictor of lntrinsic Motivation in Physical Education Classes: A Person x Situation PerspectiveAbstract: Autonomy support is considered as an important predictor of intrinsic motivation in sport environments. Referring to previous studies, which showed that the relationship between autonomy and motivation is influenced by an autonomy disposition, we aim to test the underlying fit hypothesis of intrinsic motivation in physical education classes. lt is assumed that autonomy-supportive instructions are especially beneficial for people with a strong autonomy disposition, in cantrast to people with a weaker autonomy disposition. ln an experimental design, 45 participants were assigned to either an autonomy-supportive (AF) condition, an autonomy-restrictive (AE} condition, or a control condition. After the experimental manipulation, intrinsic motivation in a basketball-based task was assessed. As assumed, people with a strong autonomy disposition showed a significantly higher intrinsic motivation in the AF group compared with participants with a weak autonomy disposition. Taken together, our results support a differential view on autonomy support in physical education classes.