Justifying unconsciously triggered self-regulation failure

Abstract

Background: We investigated the down-stream consequences of unconsciously provoked self-regulation failure. Building on recent insights, we hypothesized that unconsciously provoked unhealthy eating triggers a need to ‘confabulate’ a reason to justify this behavior. In addition, we aimed to foster insight into when confabulation occurs, by testing the moderating role of standards and the presence of an explanation. Method: The study (N = 125) had a 2 (Dieting Standard: high- low) x 3 (Condition: control - prime - prime and tell) between subjects design. Participants were primed to indulge in chocolate. The dependent variable was the degree to which participants confabulated a reason to justify their indulgence. Findings: Participants primed to indulge confabulated reasons for indulgence, but only when they had strong dieting standards and no explanation for indulging was provided. Discussion: Results enhance insight into the downstream consequences of unconsciously triggered self-regulation failure. Moreover, they suggest that the obesogenic food environment is problematic not merely because people overeat, but also because they subsequently seek for justifications, which may spill over to next occasions thereby leading to even more unhealthy behavior.