Why self-control seems (but may not be) limited

•Self-control has a refractory period during which control is less likely. •The dominant view is that control is based on some limited resource or energy. •We highlight theoretical and empirical problems with this resource model of control. •We advance a competing, non-resource-based account of self-control. •We suggest that control failure reflects the motivated switching of task priorities. Self-control refers to the mental processes that allow people to override thoughts and emotions, thus enabling behavior to vary adaptively from moment to moment. Dominating contemporary research on this topic is the viewpoint that self-control relies upon a limited resource, such that engaging in acts of restraint depletes this inner capacity and undermines subsequent attempts at control (i.e., ego depletion). Noting theoretical and empirical problems with this view, here we advance a competing model that develops a non-resource-based account of self-control. We suggest that apparent regulatory failures reflect the motivated switching of task priorities as people strive to strike an optimal balance between engaging cognitive labor to pursue ‘have-to’ goals versus preferring cognitive leisure in the pursuit of ‘want-to’ goals. Self-control refers to the mental processes that allow people to override thoughts and emotions, thus enabling behavior to vary adaptively from moment to moment. Dominating contemporary research on this topic is the viewpoint that self-control relies upon a limited resource, such that engaging in acts of restraint depletes this inner capacity and undermines subsequent attempts at control (i.e., ego depletion). Noting theoretical and empirical problems with this view, here we advance a competing model that develops a non-resource-based account of self-control. We suggest that apparent regulatory failures reflect the motivated switching of task priorities as people strive to strike an optimal balance between engaging cognitive labor to pursue ‘have-to’ goals versus preferring cognitive leisure in the pursuit of ‘want-to’ goals. a state in which people are temporarily less successful at self-control. Although ego depletion is typically attributed to a short-term loss of mental energy due to previous efforts at control, we propose that ego depletion may instead be driven by effort-induced shifts in motivation, attention, and emotion. an important carbohydrate or sugar that is absorbed directly into the bloodstream during digestion. Glucose is widely used by many organisms as a cellular source of energy. a subjective feeling of tiredness resulting from prolonged periods of cognitive activity that diminishes cognitive performance over time. Although mental fatigue is typically viewed as an unwanted byproduct of work that is caused by the depletion of energy, modern treatments suggest that fatigue is an emotion with the adaptive function of preventing fixation on current activities and redirecting attention toward behaviors with higher potential utility. the capacity to override or alter one's predominant (pre-potent, automatic) response tendencies. Akin to the colloquial notion of willpower. Self-control is closely aligned with (but not limited to) response inhibition.