Ego-Depletion

The term ego depletion ( empty of Latin depletio → la, la deplere →, ie self- exhaustion ) is a paradigm in social psychology in the field of self-regulatory behavior. The central message of the ego - depletion model is that the capacity for self- control depends on the will power of a person who is fed by a general ( self-regulation ) resource. The resource is reduced by successive tasks which require willpower or even eaten, regardless of other factors, ie about physical exhaustion. This concept is also referred to as a model of regulatory resource.

Statements of the model

To exercise self-control in an action, must the self-energy ( it is also spoken by force or resources) to spend. If this energy is then no longer a required extent available, the capacity for self- control is temporarily impaired. This condition is referred to as first- depletion. The same type of energy is used for making decisions, active action and the control of impulses, thoughts and emotions. The ego depletion model is essentially based on three assumptions:

If by active volitional acts the energy partially or completely consumed, so in a subsequent task, the self-regulation performance is decreased or no longer exists. According to the model, the willpower is like a muscle which is exhausted after short-term use, however, can be a long-term exercise, so that the capacity for self- control grows.

Biological basis of the model

The energy model that is used temporarily as a result of the above mental activities may be related to the consumption of glucose in the brain in conjunction. The decrease of glucose in the blood can be detected in people who perform the tasks requiring self-control.

Reception of the model

Research on ego - depletion model were social psychologists since about 2000 also at other universities as Florida State University, where the founder of the theory ( Roy Baumeister) researches, carried out now in Europe.

Moreover, the concept of ego - depletion radiated to other areas in psychology from, eg on market research. There one is concerned with, especially in regard to the subject of losing control and the implications for marketing and personnel management.