Devaluation of Attractive Alternatives: How Those With Poor Inhibitory Ability Preemptively Resist Temptation

Abstract

How do people resist in-the-moment temptation if they are poor at inhibiting their impulses? Theory on self-control suggests that people have a toolbox of strategies available to them that may be used preemptively to dampen temptations. Applying this to the goal of relationship maintenance, in two studies, we examined whether people motivated to maintain their romantic relationship but poor at inhibitory control would appraise an attractive alternative (AA) as less appealing prior to a face-to-face interaction. In Study 1 ( N = 190), those with high motivation and low inhibitory control (measured with the Stroop) rated the AA as less appealing as compared with singles and those high in motivation and inhibitory control. We replicated the motivation by inhibitory control interaction in Study 2 ( N = 219). The AAs paradigm and the Devaluation Effect provide a useful way to explore the toolbox approach to self-control strategies.