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Trait self-control does not predict attentional control: Evidence from a novel attention capture paradigm

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  • Michael A Dieciuc
  • Heather M Maranges
  • Walter R Boot

Abstract

To what extent are low-level visual and attentional phenomena related to higher-level personality traits? Trait self-control is thought to modulate behavior via two separate mechanisms: 1) by preventing initial temptation and, 2) by inhibiting temptation when it occurs (disengagement). Similarly, the control of visual attention often entails preventing initial distraction by irrelevant but tempting (goal-similar) objects, and disengaging attention when it has been inappropriately captured. Given these similarities, we examined whether individuals higher versus lower in trait self-control would differ in their susceptibility to attention capture using mouse-tracking as a sensitive, online measure of how attentional dynamics resolve over time and space in response to a distracting visual cue. Using a variety of metrics of attention capture, we found that differences among people in trait self-control did not predict initial selection of visual information nor subsequent disengagement. Overall, these results suggest that trait self-control and attention capture operate via separate mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0224882
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224882
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Toussaert, Séverine, 2018. "Eliciting temptation and self-control through menu choices: a lab experiment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 88107, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. 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.
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