The strength model of self-regulation: conclusions from the second decade of willpower research
Abstract
The strength model of self-regulation uses a muscle analogy to explain patterns of ego depletion, conservation of willpower, and improved performance after frequent exercise. Our 2007 overview of the literature has been well cited, presumably because of the phenomenon's importance to theories of selfhood and a wide assortment of applied contexts, including problem behaviors. Some researchers have put forward rival theoretical accounts, and others have questioned the existence of the phenomenon. The weight of evidence continues to support the usefulness of the strength model, albeit amid continuing updates and revisions.
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Capacity for self-regulation is a limited source that can be fatigued, and the complexity of chronic pain likely negatively affects ability to self-regulate.
“Studies have shown capacity for self-regulation to be a limited source that can be fatigued,4,5,55 and the complexity of chronic pain likely negatively affects ability to self-regulate.46,48,58,69”
From Living well with chronic pain: a 12-month randomized controlled trial revealing impact from the digital pain self-management program EPIO (2024) · cites this paper as [5]
Self-regulatory capacity appears to be a limited resource that may be depleted or fatigued depending on demands.
“However, depending on demands (eg, situational and environmental), self-regulatory capacity appears to be a limited resource that may be depleted or fatigued [65,66].”
From Short-Term Findings From Testing EPIO, a Digital Self-Management Program for People Living With Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [66]
Cites
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Self-citationThe Strength Model of Self-Control
Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., & Tice, D. M. (2007) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00534.x · Cited by 3,567 · see citing works
Self-citationSelf-regulation failure: an overview.
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Self-citationLosing control: how and why people fail at self-regulation
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Self-control as a limited resource: Regulatory depletion patterns.
Muraven, M., Tice, D. M., & Baumeister, R. F. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.3.774 · Cited by 1,724 · see citing works
Self-citationExtraneous factors in judicial decisions
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What Is Ego Depletion? Toward a Mechanistic Revision of the Resource Model of Self-Control
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Deciding without Resources: Resource Depletion and Choice in Context
Pocheptsova, A., Amir, O., Dhar, R., & Baumeister, R. F. (2009) · Journal of Marketing Research · doi:10.1509/jmkr.46.3.344 · Cited by 358 · see citing works
Self-citationDoes Self-Control Training Improve Self-Control? A Meta-Analysis
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Time of Day and the Decision to Prescribe Antibiotics
Linder, J. A., Doctor, J. N., Friedberg, M. W., Nieva, H. R., Birks, C., Meeker, D., & Fox, C. R. (2014) · JAMA Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.5225 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Strength Model of Self-Regulation as Limited Resource
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2016) · Advances in experimental social psychology · doi:10.1016/bs.aesp.2016.04.001 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Self-citationMotivation, personal beliefs, and limited resources all contribute to self-control
Vohs, K. D., Baumeister, R. F., & Schmeichel, B. J. (2012) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2012.03.002 · Cited by 239 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Role of Glucose in Self-Control
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Cognitive fatigue influences students’ performance on standardized tests
Sievertsen, H. H., Gino, F., & Piovesan, M. (2016) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1516947113 · Cited by 194 · see citing works
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Strength model of self-regulation as limited resource
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2018) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315175775-3 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
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Self-citationRole of self-control strength in the relation between anxiety and cognitive performance.
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Self-citationFinkenauer, C., Büyükcan-Tetik, A., Baumeister, R. F., Schoemaker, K., Bartels, M., & Vohs, K. D. (2015) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721415570730 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Self-citationErratum to “Motivation, personal beliefs, and limited resources all contribute to self-control”
Vohs, K. D., Baumeister, R. F., & Schmeichel, B. J. (2012) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2012.08.007 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationA meta-analysis of improving self-control with practice
Beames, J. R., Schofield, T. P., & Denson, T. F. (2017) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315648576-32 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
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Inzlicht, M., Werner, K. M., Briskin, J. L., & Roberts, B. W. (2021) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-061020-105721 · Cited by 594 · see citing works
Mindfulness and Behavior Change
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Annesi, J. J. (2022) · The Permanente Journal · doi:10.7812/tpp/21.212 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Bostrøm, K., Børøsund, E., Eide, H., Varsi, C., Kristjansdottir, Ó. B., Schreurs, K. M. G., Waxenberg, L. B., Weiss, K. E., Morrison, E. J., Stavenes Støle, H., et al. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/47284 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“However, depending on demands (eg, situational and environmental), self-regulatory capacity appears to be a limited resource that may be depleted or fatigued [65,66].”
Solberg Nes, L., Børøsund, E., Varsi, C., Eide, H., Waxenberg, L. B., Weiss, K. E., Morrison, E. J., Støle, H. S., Kristjansdottir, Ó. B., Bostrøm, K., et al. (2024) · Pain Reports · doi:10.1097/pr9.0000000000001174 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Studies have shown capacity for self-regulation to be a limited source that can be fatigued, 4,5,55 and the complexity of chronic pain likely negatively affects ability to self-regulate.”
Background
- Authors
- Baumeister, R. F., Tice, D. M., & Vohs, K. D.
- Affiliations
- Florida State University (US)
- Brigham Young University (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Corresponding author
- Vohs, Kathleen D.
- Venue
- Perspectives on Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2018-03
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 141-145
- ISSN
- 1745-6916 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-6924
- OpenAlex
- W2794855405
- Cited by
- 338
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 41 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 10 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 38.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Perspectives on Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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 › Free Will and Agency
- Keywords
- ego depletion, self-control, behavioral problems, selfhood
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