Measuring Self-Regulation Depletion and Depletion's Effect on the Consumption of an Alcohol Palcebo

The depletion of self-regulation may lead to poorer impulse control and an inability to control actions that may be detrimental to one's livelihood, such as drinking and driving. To date, few studies have examined the impact of self-regulation depletion on drinking. This study aimed to replicate and expand on a study conducted by Muraven et al. (2002), which found that a self-regulation depleted group consumed more alcohol than a control group. However, the current study used an alcohol placebo (as opposed to alcohol itself) to eliminate the confound of alcohol affecting self-regulation. Additionally, electrocardiogram and skin conductance response data were used in an attempt to explore measuring self-regulation depletion physiologically, as few studies have attempted to measure self-regulation in this way. One hundred and eight college students completed a battery of behavioral tests and self-report questionnaires to determine whether the depletion group consumed more of the alcohol placebo than the control group. Participants' physiological responses were also measured to determine whether the depletion of self-regulation could be measured physiologically. Results indicated that both trait self-regulation (β=.04, p=.78) and the depletion of self-regulation (β=-.05, p=.68) had no effect on the consumption of the alcohol placebo. The findings also suggest that individuals in a high self-regulatory depleting activity had increased heart rate (HR; t(104) = 2.43, p = .02) and skin conductance responses (SCR; t(93.42) = 8.31, p< .01). The findings that trait-self-regulation and the depletion of self-regulation had no effect on the consumption of the alcohol placebo were contrary to the hypothesis. They may indicate that self-regulation plays no role in the consumption of alcohol; however, as the study contained limitations, such as the size of the placebo beverage and the inclusion age of the participants, the results must be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, the finding of increased physiological responses to a high self-regulatory depleting activity may be an initial step in developing a psychophysiological measurement of self-regulation depletion.