The impact of self-control cues on subsequent monetary risk-taking

Abstract

Background and aimsThe “process-model” of self-control proposes that the ego-depletion effect is better explained by a switch between interest in “have-to” labor and cognitive “want-to” leisure, rather than being mainly due to a decrease in cognitive resources, as advanced by the “strength-model” of self-control. However, it is currently difficult to disentangle the “process-model” from the “strength-model” of self-control. Here, we employed a stepwise approach, featuring three studies, for testing the process model of self-control.MethodsIn Study 1, we created a list of 30 self-control events for characterizing “have-to” conducts in the daily life. In Study 2, mental visualization of effortful self-control events (“have-to”) and monetary risk-taking (“want-to”) were employed for testing the strength-model of self-control. In Study 3, to test the process-model of self-control, participants were simply required to read self-control (or neutral) sentences.ResultsStudy 1 provided evidence regarding external validly for the list of self-control events. Study 2 showed that mental visualization of effortful self-control events increases subsequent monetary risk-taking. Study 3 highlighted that the brief apparition of a self-control-related sentence was sufficient for increasing risk-taking. These patterns were evidenced in the trial with the less advantageous gain/loss ratio.DiscussionAltogether these findings support the process-model of self-control in showing that triggering the semantic content of a “have-to” conduct, without its actual execution, is sufficient for modulating subsequent “want-to” activity.ConclusionThese findings could contribute to advancing current knowledge on how the high availability of ready-to-consume rewards in modern environments is redefining humans’ self-control ability.

Mitigating the intrusive effects of smart home assistants by using anthropomorphic design features: A multimethod investigation

“…Individuals exert self‐control when they, for example, resist impulses to check social media repeatedly or strive to remain focused on work tasks despite interruptions from technology. Another more recent theoretical account of self‐control failure is the “process model” (Brevers et al, ; Inzlicht & Schmeichel, ), according to which people constantly switch between interest in “have‐to” work (ie, tasks that are often demanding and performed out of a sense of duty) and cognitive “want‐to” leisure (ie, tasks that are enjoyable and easy to perform). In line with this explanation, resource depletion stems from the individual tendency to rotate between mentally demanding tasks and more rewarding (or less effortful) activities, a rotation that can have important implications for individuals' attentional and motivational resources.…”

“…In addition, the constant rotation between what SHA users are preoccupied with in their ICT user role (ie, finding the right balance of accessibility in their SHA use) and what they have to take care of in their family role (eg, catering to family needs) may create interrole conflicts (Brevers et al, ; Piszczek et al, ). These conflicts may not only imply that users' time and attention are siphoned away from social behaviours at home that drive interpersonal satisfaction, such as fulfilling home responsibilities or spending time together.…”

“…Furthermore, constantly oscillating between the challenges posed by SHAs' potential anonymity violations and the demands of meeting home responsibilities may increase resource depletion and the likelihood of interpersonal conflicts (Brevers et al, ). More specifically, dealing with potential anonymity breaches in the ICT user role may create strain that is carried over to the family role, where it is likely to translate into interpersonal strain with other family members (Sanz‐Vergel, Rodríguez‐Muñoz, & Nielsen, ).…”

Strategies for self-controlling social media use: Classification and role in preventing social media addiction symptoms

“…Specifically, Baumeister's model posits that engaging in self-control quickly consumes one's limited resource or energy leaving him or her in a state of "ego-depletion." Hence, when individuals engage in an effortful activity at Time 1 (e.g., such as avoiding facing addiction-related stimuli), ability to exert self-control temporarily diminishes, and consequently performance on a different task at Time 2 typically deteriorates (e.g., higher financial risk-taking while gambling; see Brevers et al, 2018; for a meta-analysis, see Hagger, Wood, Stiff, & Chatzisarantis, 2010).…”

The Role of Betting on Digital Credit Repayment, Coping Mechanisms and Welfare Outcomes: Evidence from Kenya

“…In other words, the gambler has access to gambling opportunities on the device readily available, allowing for between-session and within-session chasing of gambling (Nigro et al 2019;Sacco et al 2011). Brevers et al (2018) discuss satisfaction derived by gamblers from online gambling, now with new financial technology as ready-to-consume rewards redefining humans' selfcontrol abilities. However, rewards from gambling are very unlikely, such that Jerome Cardano (1525) wrote " .…”