The Sprinter Effect: When Involvement and Self-Control Fail to Overcome Ego-Depletion

Abstract

This research examines the joint effect of dispositional self-control and situational involvement on ego-depletion and on subsequent performance in consumption related tasks. Contrary to past studies which have shown that separately involvement or self-control facilitate overcoming ego-depletion, this research contends that being both highly involved and with high self-control jeopardizes one's ability to overcome ego-depletion, resulting in poorer performance on subsequent consumption activities. We term this the “sprinter effect.” Three studies in both lab and field settings demonstrate this phenomenon and suggest how to de-bias it.