Ego Depletion in Learning (Brain Fatigue): Why don t some people go on doing long-term activities (An Idea based on Ego Depletion)

Background and Aim : In order to achieve certain goals, people need to work continuously for a long time such as studying for one year to pass the university entrance examination or language tests such as IELTS and TOEFL or other similar activities. However, some people cannot complete this route and leave their activity in the middle of the route, thus their planning is not implemented. The present study investigates the idea of Ego Depletion on this topic to propose a relationship between this fact and Ego Depletion.Methods : In the present study, 37 articles and scientific resources related to Ego Depletion were studied, and the results of researches on the effects of this phenomenon on self-control behaviors and volition in different cases were studied. Then, the physical and mental status, study process, and lifestyle of 5 people who were troubled in the course of their work were evaluated through interview.Results : Individuals with mental activity (long-term study) have progressed well at first, but when they reached their best (ideal conditions) or after a while, they became weaker and stopped studying. In addition to the lack of severe physical exhaustion, they had no subjective elasticity of study at all. The mental abilities involved in learning and motivation have been declined. These conditions appear to be very similar to the Ego Depletion phenomenon and have been like the complete depletion of mental energy including memory in storing new information as in brain saturation from study and Lack of capacity for new information being studied. Under these conditions, people stop working for a relatively long time and stop studying. After a long time, the motivation to restart is also reduced, and sometimes there is a feeling of inadequacy, failure and hopelessness.Conclusion : The cognitive functions involved in learning appear to have a certain capacity and unbalanced activity stops the activity of these parts. Therefore, as with Ego Depletion and its occurrence that is necessary to observe the required points, it is essential to be careful in studying and utilizing the cognitive functions involved. Thus, paying attention to the factors that influence ego Depletion in continuous and long-term activities can enable people to work for a long time and achieve their goals. Lack of attention causes them stop in the middle of the way. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt a lifestyle based on Ego Depletion for long-term activities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ego Depletion ، Self-Control ، Learning ، Long-Term activities ، Cognitive functions