Investigating the Relationship Between Guilt and Self‐control Using Experience Sampling Method in Japan: Replication of Hofmann & Fisher (2012) and Additional Investigations

Abstract We conducted a preregistration study ( https://osf.io/apsvr ) to examine the relationship between guilt and self‐control via the experience sampling method (ESM) in Japan. In addition to replicating Hofmann and Fisher's results (2012), we also examined whether cultural factors moderated the effects of self‐conscious emotions on subsequent self‐control, whether deservingness mediated the negative relationship between guilt and behavioral inhibition, and whether guilt increased initiatory self‐control. We recruited 211 participants and sent them seven ESM signals per day, for seven consecutive days over a 14‐h period. Participants answered questions regarding their current state of desire, self‐control process variables (goal importance, conflict, resistance, and inhibiting desire), and emotional state when they noticed the signals. We collected 9,737 available responses, of which 68.7% indicated desire experiences. Multilevel path analyses revealed that previous guilt for self‐control failure indirectly impacted the inhibition of subsequent desire. The potential mechanisms and implications of these findings are discussed.