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Neural and Behavioral Evidence for an Intrinsic Cost of Self-Control

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  • Wouter Kool
  • Joseph T McGuire
  • Gary J Wang
  • Matthew M Botvinick

Abstract

The capacity for self-control is critical to adaptive functioning, yet our knowledge of the underlying processes and mechanisms is presently only inchoate. Theoretical work in economics has suggested a model of self-control centering on two key assumptions: (1) a division within the decision-maker between two ‘selves’ with differing preferences; (2) the idea that self-control is intrinsically costly. Neuroscience has recently generated findings supporting the ‘dual-self’ assumption. The idea of self-control costs, in contrast, has remained speculative. We report the first independent evidence for self-control costs. Through a neuroimaging meta-analysis, we establish an anatomical link between self-control and the registration of cognitive effort costs. This link predicts that individuals who strongly avoid cognitive demand should also display poor self-control. To test this, we conducted a behavioral experiment leveraging a measure of demand avoidance along with two measures of self-control. The results obtained provide clear support for the idea of self-control costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Wouter Kool & Joseph T McGuire & Gary J Wang & Matthew M Botvinick, 2013. "Neural and Behavioral Evidence for an Intrinsic Cost of Self-Control," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-6, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0072626
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia Grass & Florian Krieger & Philipp Paulus & Samuel Greiff & Anja Strobel & Alexander Strobel, 2019. "Thinking in action: Need for Cognition predicts Self-Control together with Action Orientation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Strulik, Holger & Werner, Katharina, 2023. "Renewable resource use with imperfect self-control," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 778-795.
    3. Mariya Davydenko & Marta Kolbuszewska & Johanna Peetz, 2021. "A meta-analysis of financial self-control strategies: Comparing empirical findings with online media and lay person perspectives on what helps individuals curb spending and start saving," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, July.
    4. Michael A Dieciuc & Heather M Maranges & Walter R Boot, 2019. "Trait self-control does not predict attentional control: Evidence from a novel attention capture paradigm," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(12), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Tobias Otto & Fred R H Zijlstra & Rainer Goebel, 2018. "Feeling the force: Changes in a left-lateralized network of brain areas under simulated workday conditions are reflected in subjective mental effort investment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, June.

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