Intrinsic motivation and self-regulation: Can engaging in intrinsically motivating tasks replenish self-control strength?
Abstract
Self-control strength is the psychological resource that purportedly fuels self-regulation. Unfortunately, self-control strength is not a bottomless reservoir; consecutive attempts to control or change our thoughts, feelings, impulses, and behavior deplete this resource, leading to subsequent self-regulation failure. Self-regulation failures have been linked to several social and individual problems, including crime, addiction, depression, and performance decrements. Because of the immense importance of self-regulation in every-day life, finding ways to replenish self-control strength might be a commendable research goal. Researchers already suggest that respites and immersion in nature may contribute to self-control strength restoration. However, research has not yet examined the potentially replenishing effects of specific activities or tasks. The current study uses several theoretical frameworks to propose and test a process model that links intrinsically motivating tasks and self-control strength. Moreover, it examines whether engaging in such tasks may replenish self-control strength as effectively as respites. Specifically, participants were asked to engage in an ego-depleting task (a task meant to deplete their self-control strength), followed by a task high in intrinsic motivation, a task low in intrinsic motivation, or a respite. Consequently, participants were asked to complete a series of questionnaires and a task measuring their task/respite perceptions, their intrinsic motivation, and their self-control strength. Results indicate that, although intrinsically motivating tasks may share some of the so-called restorative elements of nature (e.g., fascination), no evidence was found that engaging in intrinsically motivating tasks replenishes self-control strength. Nevertheless, the pattern of results altered when different measures of self-control strength were utilized. These findings suggest that self-regulation research should focus on clearly defining and operationalizing self-control strength before evaluating the nomological network of this nebulous psychological resource.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Weiss, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology|Occupational psychology
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