Implicit Theories About Willpower Predict Subjective Well-Being

Journal of Personality
Katharina BerneckerVeronika Job

Abstract

Lay theories about willpower-the belief that willpower is a limited versus nonlimited resource-affect self-control and goal striving in everyday life (Job, Dweck, & Walton, 2010). Three studies examined whether willpower theories also relate to people's subjective well-being by shaping the progress they make toward their personal goals. A cross-sectional (Study 1) and two longitudinal studies (Studies 2 and 3) measured individuals' willpower theories and different indicators of subjective well-being. Additionally, Study 3 measured goal striving and personal goal progress. A limited theory about willpower was associated with lower subjective well-being in a sample of working adults (Study 1, N = 258). Further, a limited theory predicted lower levels of well-being at a time when students faced high self-regulatory demands (Study 2, N = 196). Study 3 (N = 157) replicated the finding that students with a limited theory experienced lower well-being in phases of high self-regulatory demands and found that personal goal progress mediated this relationship. Results suggest that the belief that willpower is based on a limited resource has negative implications not only for self-control but also for personal goal striving and subjective ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 19, 2019·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Wei Xing TohAndree Hartanto
Mar 12, 2019·British Journal of Psychology·Katharina Bernecker, Veronika Job
Jan 19, 2019·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Vanda SieberVeronika Job
Oct 1, 2020·British Journal of Psychology·Zoë Francis, Veronika Job
Aug 10, 2020·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Preben Bertelsen, Simon Ozer
Nov 7, 2018·Psychological Reports·Jan Jędrzejczyk, Marcin Zajenkowski

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