Does ego depletion impair adaptive performance? A longitudinal analysis

Abstract

Adaptive performance (AP) refers to functional behavioral reactions to changes and it is considered an important performance dimension. In the present study, the influence of ego depletion on AP was examined using an experimental longitudinal design. According to the ego-depletion theory, self-control is a limited resource that can be depleted. Using those resources may lead to performance impairment on subsequent tasks requiring self-control. In the present study, one task was used to induce ego depletion in the experimental group by using a harder version of the task than in the control group. Performance differences on a second task were used to measure the influence of ego depletion on performance. After 80 trials requirements of the second task were changed in order to gauge AP. Perceived ego depletion and cognitive abilities were included as additional performance predictors. Neither objective nor perceived ego depletion was related to AP. In contrast, cognitive abilities promoted transition adaption and reacquisition adaption.