Question

George believes he is the best basketball player at his school, maybe even in the city. He believes he's also smarter than almost everybody. His self-esteem score is high on both explicit and implicit measures. Nick is new to the school and challenges George to a game of one on one. Nick wins the game by a landslide and taunts George by saying, "I thought you said you could play." Based on research by Baumeister and colleagues, what is George likely to do?

Answer 1

Question options:

A) Ask Nick for some pointers about how to improve his game.

B) Punch Nick in the face.

C) Sulk and pout at first, but eventually get over it and practice harder.

D) Shake hands with Nick and say, "Good game."

E) Encourage the coach to make Nick a starter on the team.

Answer:

B) Punch Nick in the face

Step-by-step explanation:

Research by Baumeister and colleagues explains self control and how it can be depleted overtime after constant pressure on it in their chocolate-radish experiment to demonstrate willpower in self-control. In the above example, the constant "rubbing it in the face" of George by Nick that he won would likely make him lose his self control and punch him in the face.