A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect

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Vohs, Kathleen D
Schmeichel, Brandon J
Lohmann, Sophie
Gronau, Quentin F
Finley, Anna J
Ainsworth, Sarah E
Alquist, Jessica L
Baker, Michael D
Brizi, Ambra
Bunyi, Angelica
Butschek, Grant J
Campbell, Collier
Capaldi, Jonathan
Hagger, Martin S
et al.
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2021
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Abstract

We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project (k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result (d = 0.06). Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect (d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses. Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.

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Psychological Science

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Vohs, KD; Schmeichel, BJ; Lohmann, S; Gronau, QF; Finley, AJ; Ainsworth, SE; Alquist, JL; Baker, MD; Brizi, A; Bunyi, A; Butschek, GJ; Campbell, C; Capaldi, J; Hagger, MS; et al., A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect, Psychological Science, 2021. Copyright 2021 The Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.

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Psychology

Cognitive neuroscience

Social Sciences

Psychology, Multidisciplinary

ego depletion

self-control

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Vohs, KD; Schmeichel, BJ; Lohmann, S; Gronau, QF; Finley, AJ; Ainsworth, SE; Alquist, JL; Baker, MD; Brizi, A; Bunyi, A; Butschek, GJ; Campbell, C; Capaldi, J; Hagger, MS; et al., A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect, Psychological Science, 2021

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