Exerting Self-Control Induces a Narrow Mindset

KUL Working Paper No. MO 0603

17 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2006

See all articles by Sabrina Bruyneel

Sabrina Bruyneel

Carnegie Mellon University - David A. Tepper School of Business

Siegfried Dewitte

KU Leuven - Faculty of Business and Economics (FEB)

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

Self-control theories have focused on various aspects of the processes involved in exerting self-control. In the present paper, we intend to add to this literature by demonstrating that exerting self-control leads one to narrow one's attention and cognition, inducing a narrow mindset. We demonstrate this in three studies. Participants who exerted self-control applied a narrower view (Study 1), applied a narrower categorization (Study 2), and used more concrete language (Study 3) than participants who did not exert self-control. Results are discussed in light of the possibility that a narrow mindset enhances performance on the self-control task at hand at the cost of poorer performance on other tasks.

Keywords: Self-control, Theory, Processes, Cognition, Studies, Performance, Cost, University, Science, Consumer behavior, Behavior, Impact, Decisions, Decision, Research

Suggested Citation

Bruyneel, Sabrina and Dewitte, Siegfried, Exerting Self-Control Induces a Narrow Mindset (2006). KUL Working Paper No. MO 0603, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=944408 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.944408

Sabrina Bruyneel (Contact Author)

Carnegie Mellon University - David A. Tepper School of Business ( email )

5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
United States

Siegfried Dewitte

KU Leuven - Faculty of Business and Economics (FEB) ( email )

Naamsestraat 69
Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

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