The Replication Crisis: Apply It

  • Examine the McCabe and Castel study
  • Explain the replication crisis

The Replication Crisis and Messy Science

APA Theme A: Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop.Just as the McCabe and Castel study you read about did not replicate well, other significant studies have shown mixed results upon further investigation. One such study was research conducted on the concepts of willpower and self-control. The idea is that we have a limited amount of willpower and if we exert ourselves using too much self-control, we will deplete it and we’ll have a harder time having self-control on another task.

Watch this video to learn more about this idea, known as ego depletion, and the issues surrounding its replication.
You can view the transcript for “The Problem with Willpower and Self-Control | A Psychology Experiment” here (opens in new window).

Based on this video and research, what ideas do you have for future studies on ego depletion?