The DOI matches its Crossref record; 137 of the 137 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Self-regulation and depletion of limited resources: Does self-control resemble a muscle?
Abstract
The authors review evidence that self-control may consume a limited resource. Exerting self-control may consume self-control strength, reducing the amount of strength available for subsequent self-control efforts. Coping with stress, regulating negative affect, and resisting temptations require self-control, and after such self-control efforts, subsequent attempts at self-control are more likely to fail. Continuous self-control efforts, such as vigilance, also degrade over time. These decrements in self-control are probably not due to negative moods or learned helplessness produced by the initial self-control attempt. These decrements appear to be specific to behaviors that involve self-control; behaviors that do not require self-control neither consume nor require self-control strength. It is concluded that the executive component of the self--in particular, inhibition--relies on a limited, consumable resource.
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In the citing paper
“Most of this research has focused on the depletion of these self-control “muscles,” in which efforts to exert self-control, focus attention, inhibit urges, or regulate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors deplete these resources.”
From Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health (2010) · cites this paper as Muraven & Baumeister, 2000
In the citing paper
“This leads to the prediction that when self-control efforts are excessive, one should observe impaired performance on any subsequent task requiring self-control effort (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000).”
From Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health (2010) · cites this paper as Muraven & Baumeister, 2000
In the citing paper
“although even these individuals are susceptible to the ironic effects of over-control, especially under conditions of stress (Garland et al. 2014; Muraven and Baumeister 2000).”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as Muraven and Baumeister 2000
In the citing paper
“strategies that emphasise control over internal experiences (thoughts and feelings) are likely only to be successful in those with significant pre-existing cognitive reserves”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as Muraven and Baumeister 2000
In the citing paper
“These findings may correspond to the notion of the general self-regulation concept (Baumeister et al., 1998; Muraven and Baumeister, 2000) as being closely related to emotion regulation (Vohs and Baumeister, 2011; Vago and Silbersweig, 2012).”
From Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on body awareness in patients with chronic pain and comorbid depression (2016) · cites this paper as Muraven and Baumeister, 2000
In the citing paper
“A problem is that most people are driven by the need for instant success (doing small things, and getting rewarded immediately) which has a stronger pull than long-term success, with delayed gratification of rewards (e.g., Mischel 1996; Muraven and Baumeister 2000).”
From Energy Management of People in Organizations: A Review and Research Agenda (2011) · cites this paper as Muraven and Baumeister 2000
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Metadata
- Authors
- Muraven, M., & Baumeister, R. F.
- Affiliations
- Case Western Reserve University (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 2000
- Volume
- 126
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 247-259
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- OpenAlex
- W2113390049
- Cited by
- 4,510
- References
- 135
- Citations by year
- 2026: 186 · 2025: 208 · 2024: 200 · 2023: 183 · 2022: 237 · 2021: 218 · 2020: 198 · 2019: 272 · 2018: 260 · 2017: 225 · 2016: 253 · 2015: 297 · 2014: 289 · 2013: 267 · 2012: 201
- FWCI
- 45.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh057039-05, 5r01mh051482-03)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH 57039, MH-51482)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- self-control, self-regulation, resource constraints, ego depletion, executive function, inhibition, sustained attention, stress coping, negative affect regulation, resistance to temptation
- MeSH terms
- Attention, Depression, Physical Exertion, Helplessness, Learned, Internal-External Control, Motivation
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