A1 Journal article (refereed)
A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect (2021)

Vohs, K. D., Schmeichel, B. J., Lohmann, S., Gronau, Q. F., Finley, A. J., Ainsworth, S. E., Alquist, J. L., Baker, M. D., Brizi, A., Bunyi, A., Butschek, G. J., Campbell, C., Capaldi, J., Cau, C., Chambers, H., Chatzisarantis, N. L. D., Christensen, W. J., Clay, S. L., Curtis, J., . . . Albarracín, D. (2021). A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect. Psychological Science, 32(10), 1566-1581. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797621989733

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: 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; et al.

Journal or series: Psychological Science

ISSN: 0956-7976

eISSN: 1467-9280

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 14/09/2021

Volume: 32

Issue number: 10

Pages range: 1566-1581

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797621989733

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79752

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.

Keywords: self-control; fatigue (biological phenomena); psychological theories; psychological tests; Bayesian analysis

Free keywords: ego depletion; self-control; registered replication; open data; open materials; preregistered

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2