ADL Training Evaluation Team

1901 N. Beauregard Street
Suite 600
Alexandria, Virginia 22311

Comparison of Self-Regulation Theories

Ego depletion and resource allocation are two theories that have been used to understand the process by which individuals self-regulate. However, the two theories make different assumptions about self-regulatory processes and whether self-regulation in one task influences trainees’ ability to self-regulate in subsequent, unrelated tasks (Zyphur, Warren, Landis & Thoresen, 2007). Ego depletion proposes individuals have a limited ability to exert self-control over their behavior, and self-regulation depletes over time. Thus, time is the primary limitation of self-regulatory strength and depleting self-regulation in one task will impair performance on subsequent tasks that require self-control. However, resource allocation theory proposes the availability of cognitive resources sets the upper limit for the effect of self-regulation on performance. Self-regulation has a positive effect on performance when the trainees have sufficient cognitive resources for both self-regulation and the training task, and self-regulatory processes are independent across sequential, unrelated tasks.

The Training Evaluation Team is currently designing research to test the assumptions of both theories and conditions that may limit individuals’ ability to self-regulate in a training environment. The results will be used to understand the length of time trainees can concentrate on learning and the optimal spacing of breaks from training courses.