Ego depletion fails to replicate

A large multi-site study fails to replicate the ego depletion effect (Baumeister). The concept of willpower as a limited resource is questioned.

The replication crisis revealed that many classic psychology findings could not be reproduced under controlled conditions. This exposed systemic problems: small samples, flexible statistical practices, academic incentives rewarding novelty over accuracy, and an editorial culture favoring positive results. The scientific community's response was a profound transformation of research norms.

The 2010s were the era of open science, the replication crisis, and data democratization. Psychology reinvented its methods and emerged as a leader in science reform. Meanwhile, social media transformed human relationships and raised new questions about mental health.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.