Job Veronika, Walton Gregory M, Bernecker Katharina, Dweck Carol S
Department of Psychology.
Department of Psychology, Stanford University.
J Pers Soc Psychol. 2015 Apr;108(4):637-47. doi: 10.1037/pspp0000014.
Laboratory research shows that when people believe that willpower is an abundant (rather than highly limited) resource they exhibit better self-control after demanding tasks. However, some have questioned whether this "nonlimited" theory leads to squandering of resources and worse outcomes in everyday life when demands on self-regulation are high. To examine this, we conducted a longitudinal study, assessing students' theories about willpower and tracking their self-regulation and academic performance. As hypothesized, a nonlimited theory predicted better self-regulation (better time management and less procrastination, unhealthy eating, and impulsive spending) for students who faced high self-regulatory demands. Moreover, among students taking a heavy course load, those with a nonlimited theory earned higher grades, which was mediated by less procrastination. These findings contradict the idea that a limited theory helps people allocate their resources more effectively; instead, it is people with the nonlimited theory who self-regulate well in the face of high demands.
实验室研究表明，当人们认为意志力是一种丰富（而非极度有限）的资源时，在完成艰巨任务后他们会表现出更好的自我控制能力。然而，一些人质疑这种“无限制”理论是否会导致在日常生活中自我调节需求很高时资源的浪费和更糟糕的结果。为了研究这一点，我们进行了一项纵向研究，评估学生对意志力的看法，并跟踪他们的自我调节和学业成绩。正如所假设的那样，对于面临高自我调节需求的学生，无限制理论预测会有更好的自我调节（更好的时间管理、更少的拖延、不健康饮食和冲动消费）。此外，在课程负担繁重的学生中，持有无限制理论的学生成绩更高，这是由较少的拖延所介导的。这些发现与有限理论有助于人们更有效地分配资源这一观点相矛盾；相反，面对高需求时能够良好自我调节的是持有无限制理论的人。
