If one pumps iron, then one gets big and strong. What is the if-then for ego depletion? This entire fuzzy informal idea of common-sense causality is what is being wagered by these flimsy psychological concepts.
If one exercises his willpower a lot†, then one has a progressively harder time doing so again shortly after‡. This is so because willpower is a finite, expendable resource which has to be renewed (through not exercising it).
† - for instance, by denying himself bad, tempting things
‡ - gives in to temptation
It's not flimsy at all, it just appears to be wrong.
† - for instance, by denying himself bad, tempting things
‡ - gives in to temptation
It's not flimsy at all, it just appears to be wrong.