A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect
Authors: Vohs Kathleen D. , Schmeichel Brandon J. , Lohmann Sophie , Gronau Quentin F. , Finley Anna J. , Ainsworth Sarah E. , Alquist Jessica L. , Baker Michael D. , Brizi Ambra , Bunyi Angelica , Butschek Grant J. , Campbell Collier , Capaldi Jonathan , Cau Chuting , Chambers Heather , Chatzisarantis Nikos L. D. , Christensen Weston J. , Clay Samuel L. , Curtis Jessica , De Cristofaro Valeria , del Rosario Kareena , Diel Katharina , Doğruol Yasemin , Doi Megan , Donaldson Tina L. , Eder Andreas B. , Ersoff Mia , Eyink Julie R. , Falkenstein Angelica , Fennis Bob M. , Findley Matthew B. , Finkel Eli J. , Forgea Victoria , Friese Malte , Fuglestad Paul , Garcia-Willingham Natasha E. , Geraedts Lea F. , Gervais Will M. , Giacomantonio Mauro , Gibson Bryan , Gieseler Karolin , Gineikiene Justina , Gloger Elana M. , Gobes Carina M. , Grande Maria , Hagger Martin S. , Hartsell Bethany , Hermann Anthony D. , Hidding Jasper J. , Hirt Edward R. , Hodge Josh , Hofmann Wilhelm , Howell Jennifer L. , Hutton Robert D. , Inzlicht Michael , James Lily , Johnson Emily , Johnson Hannah L. , Joyce Sarah M. , Joye Yannick , Kaben Jan Helge , Kammrath Lara K. , Kelly Caitlin N. , Kissell Brian L. , Koole Sander L. , Krishna Anand , Lam Christine , Lee Kelemen T. , Lee Nick , Leighton Dana C. , Loschelder David D. , Maranges Heather M. , Masicampo E. J. , Mazara Kennedy , McCarthy Samantha , McGregor Ian , Mead Nicole L. , Mendes Wendy B. , Meslot Carine , Michalak Nicholas M. , Milyavskaya Marina , Miyake Akira , Moeini-Jazani Mehrad , Muraven Mark , Nakahara Erin , Patel Krishna , Petrocelli John V. , Pollak Katja M. , Price Mindi M. , Ramsey Haley J. , Rath Maximilian , Robertson Jacob A. , Rockwell Rachael , Russ Isabella F. , Salvati Marco , Saunders Blair , Scherer Anne , Schütz Astrid , Schmitt Kristin N. , Segerstrom Suzanne C. , Serenka Benjamin , Sharpinskyi Konstantyn , Shaw Meaghan , Sherman Janelle , Song Yu , Sosa Nicholas , Spillane Kaitlyn , Stapels Julia , Stinnett Alec J. , Strawser Hannah R. , Sweeny Kate , Theodore Dominic , Tonnu Karine , van Oldenbeuving Yasmijn , vanDellen Michelle R. , Vergara Raiza C. , Walker Jasmine S. , Waugh Christian E. , Weise Feline , Werner Kaitlyn M. , Wheeler Craig , White Rachel A. , Wichman Aaron L. , Wiggins Bradford J. , Wills Julian A. , Wilson Janie H. , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan , Albarracín Dolores 
Published: September 2021

We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project ( k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result ( d = 0.06). Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect ( d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses. Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.