Reducing self-control depletion effects through enhanced sensitivity to implementation: Evidence from fMRI and behavioral studies

William M. Hedgcock, Kathleen D. Vohs, Akshay R. Rao

Journal of Consumer Psychology · 2012 · Volume 22 · Issue 4

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcps.2012.05.008

Abstract

Research suggests self-control relies on a limited set of resources that can be diminished by use. Recent theories posit that there are two stages of self-control: recognizing the need for control and implementing controlled responses. We conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment and an intervention experiment to investigate whether one or both stages were affected by the prior exercise of self-control. Results from both experiments indicated that only the implementation stage was affected. Further, we demonstrate that self-control can be increased by an intervention designed to boost implementation, as opposed to the recognition of the need to control one's responses.

Keywords

ACC, anterior cingulate cortex, BA, Brodmann Area, DFMC, dorsal frontal median cortex, DLPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, EEG, electroencephalogram, fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging, rMFG, right middle frontal gyrus, Regulatory resource depletion, Self-control, fMRI, Decision neuroscience

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