I Need to use my Mobile: The Influence of Self-Control and Ego Depletion on Smartphones Use

• Main Authors: Juan José Camou Viacava, Jessica Quinelli Francisquetti, Letícia Ribeiro de Souza Lima, Eurico de Oliveira Junior
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Nove de Julho 2016-03-01
• Series: REMark: Revista Brasileira de Marketing
• Subjects: Depleção do ego; Autocontrole; Tentação; Smartphones.
• Online Access: http://www.revistabrasileiramarketing.org/ojs-2.2.4/index.php/remark/article/view/2881

<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;" lang="EN-US">The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of different levels of self-control and ego depletion, on the temptation to use smartphones. The research consisted of two phases, the first a qualitative exploratory research study and the second conclusive quantitative research. On the exploratory phase seven interviews were conducted, demonstrating not only that individuals viewed the use of cell phones / smartphones as part of their lives, but also as a temptation. In the second phase was collected a sample of 134 undergraduate students by a survey using structured observation to check the influence of self-control and ego depletion in the use of smartphones (temptation), during an exam simulation (main goal). As results, it was found that as lower the students&rsquo; self-control was, more they used their cellphones during the simulated exam. The more worn-out (ego depletion), their grades were worse in this simulation. Yet, it was found that the greater it was the self-control, it was be able to minimize the effects of ego depletion over the number of times students used their phones and, their grades were better on the simulated exam.</span>