Hugo Alberts

h.alberts@maastrichtuniversity.nl


My research concerns self-control and mindfulness. Self-control, or self-regulation, refers to the extent to which an individual exerts control over him- or herself. Self-control is defined as the suppression or inhibition of impulses, thoughts or desires. An example includes the desire that is present when a dieter is exposed to a tempting piece of pie. The dieter has to regulate this desire in order to successfully refuse the piece of pie.

Mindfulness is being attentive to and aware of the present moment. One adopts a particular orientation toward one’s experience that is characterized by openness, non-judgement and acceptance. When being confronted with a tempting piece of pie, a mindful dieter directs attention to and accepts the craving for pie, but without acting upon it. Through practice, mindfulness can help to realize the transient nature of internal states such as cravings and emotions. Mindfulness is a strategy that promotes the same goal-directed behavior (e.g. refraining from eating) as self-control strategies such as suppression or distraction, but in a fundamentally different way. Whereas many self-control strategies aim to reduce the discrepancy between a current state (craving) and a desired goal state (no more craving), mindfulness is not focused on reaching a goal state. Instead, mindfulness is aimed at fostering willingness to experience the current state. Paradoxically, this can lead to successful self-control.

Although a growing number of studies demonstrate the effectiveness of mindfulness practice, relatively little is known about mindfulness in the context of eating behaviour. My research aims to provide more insight in the effectiveness and the processes that underlie mindfulness and self-control.



I coordinate course EH411A “self-control”. This course addresses different theories and findings in the field of self-control. In addition to studying and applying these theories, the focus will also be on possible ways to improve self-control. Moreover, the clinical side of self-control is addressed during a practical, by means of setting up an intervention.

Furthermore, am the coordinator of course 2.5a “Research: How to do it?!”. During this course, students learn how to develop and conduct research.

Finally, I am involved in the organization of the third year course “bad habits”. The main goal of this course is to explain how (un)healthy and (un)desirable behavior emerges and how it is maintained. In doing so, recent insights in the field of social and clinical psychology are used.

I am happy to supervise experimental research on self-control and mindfulness.



Alberts, H. J.E.M. , Mulkens, S., Smeets, M. & Thewissen, R. (2010). Coping with food cravings: Investigating the potential of a mindfulness-based intervention. Appetite, 55, 160-163.

Alberts, H. J.E.M, Martijn, C, Nievelstein, F, Jansen, A. & de Vries, N.K. (2008). Distracting the self: Shifting attention prevents ego depletion. Self and Identity, 7, 322–334.

Martijn, C., Alberts, H. , Sheeran, P., Peters, G., Mikolajczak, J. & de Vries, N.K. (2007). Blocked goals, persistent action: Implementation intentions engender tenacious goal striving. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 44, 1137–1143.

Alberts, H.J.E.M. , Martijn, C., Greb, J., Merckelbach, H. & de Vries, N.K. (2007). Carrying on or giving in: The role of automatic processes in overcoming ego depletion. British Journal of Social Psychology, 46, 383-399.

Martijn, C., Alberts, H.J.E.M. , Merckelbach, H., Havermans, R., Huijts, A., & De Vries, N.K. (2007). Overcoming ego depletion: The influence of exemplar priming on self-control performance. European Journal of Social Psychology, 37, 231-238.

Martijn, C., Alberts, H. , & De Vries, N.K. (2006). Maintaining self-control: The role of expectancies. In: D. de Ridder & J. de Wit (Eds.). Self-regulation in health behavior. Chichester UK: Wiley.

De Cremer, D., & Alberts, H.J.E.M. . (2002). When procedural fairness does not influence how positive I feel: The effects of voice and leader selection as a function of belongingness need. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 333-344.

Alberts, H.J.E.M. , Panahi, R.M.S. & Martijn, C. (2006). Understanding impulsive crime: The role of state self–control. Verlag für Polizeiwissenschaft, 3, 30-43.


National journal articles

Alberts, H. , Schneider, F. & Martijn, C. (2008). Efficiënt omgaan met negatieve emoties: het accepteren van negatieve emoties kost minder energie dan het onderdrukken ervan. In R. Custers, B. Beersma, H. van den Berg, F. Harinck & M. van Zomderen (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Groningen: Aspo Pers.

Martijn, C., Alberts, H. , Peters, G.J.Y, Mikolajczak, J., De Vries, N.K., & Sheeran, P. (2007). Wanneer het niet lukt: Over de bijdrage van implementatie-intenties aan volharden gedrag. In C. van Laar, R. Ruiter, J. Karremans, W. van Rijswijk, & F. van Harreveld (Red.), Jaarboek sociale psychologie 2006, (pp. 281-292). Groningen: Aspo pers.

Alberts, H. , Martijn, C., & de Vries, N. (2006). Voorbij de grenzen van beperkte energie. De psycholoog, 41, 588-593.

Alberts, H. , Maroofi, S. & Martijn, C. (2006). De relatie tussen verwachtingen en interpersoonlijke verschillen in zelfcontrole. In E. Kluwer, E. van Dijk & D. Wigboldus (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Delft: Eburon.

Alberts, H. , Greb, J. & Martijn, C. (2004). “You can do it.com!”: Is zelfcontrole een kwestie van de juiste activatie? In E. Kluwer, E. van Dijk & D. Wigboldus (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Delft: Eburon.

Nievelstein, F., Alberts, H. , Jansen, A., van Doorn, R. & Martijn, C. (2004). Het gaat beter als je aan iets anders denkt: De rol van externe versus zelffocus in zelfcontroleprocessen. In E. Kluwer, E. van Dijk & D. Wigboldus (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Delft: Eburon.

Alberts, H. , & de Cremer, D. (2002). Positieve emotionele reacties en procedurele rechtvaardigheid: De effecten van inspraak en selectie van leiderschap als functie van de behoefte ergens bij te horen. In E. Kluwer, E. van Dijk & D. Wigboldus (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Delft: Eburon.


Submitted for publication

Alberts, H. , Martijn., C., & de Vries, N.K. (pending revision). Fighting self-control failure: Overcoming ego depletion by increasing self-awareness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

Alberts, H. , Martijn., C., & de Vries, N.K. (2009). Ego depletion or resource protection? Uncertainty about future demands predicts self-control performance.

Alberts, H. , Schneider, F., & Martijn., C. Efficiently dealing with negative emotions: Acceptance versus suppression.