Exerting Self-Control Induces a Narrow Mindset

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