Resistance to persuasion as self-regulation: Ego-depletion and its effects on attitude change processes

• Published in: Journal of experimental social psychology Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 150 - 156
• Main Authors: Wheeler, S. Christian, Briñol, Pablo, Hermann, Anthony D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 2007; Elsevier; Academic Press
• Subjects: Acquiescence; Attitude change; Attitudes; Behavior. Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Effects; Ego; Ego-depletion; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Information processing; Manipulation; Persuasion; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Resistance; Resistance to persuasion; Self regulation; Social psychology; Acquiescence; Ego-depletion; Attitude change; Resistance to persuasion; Self-regulation; Human; Self regulation; Ego; Persuasion
• ISSN: 0022-1031; 1096-0465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2006.01.001

Counterarguing persuasive messages requires active control processes (e.g., generation and application of contradictory information) similar to those involved in other forms of self-regulation. Prior research has indicated that self-regulation ability is a finite resource subject to temporary depletion with use, and so engaging in self-regulatory tasks could impair individuals’ ability to subsequently counterargue. Participants completed an initial task designed to deplete or not deplete their regulatory resources. Following the manipulation, participants read a message supporting a counterattitudinal policy. Results indicated that prior self-regulation reduced subsequent resistance, primarily when the message arguments were specious. Counterargument appears to be a self-regulatory process that can be undermined when self-regulatory resources have previously been diminished.