Temporal discounting: basic research and the analysis of socially important behavior.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Human temporal discounting research illustrates procedures and key findings.
• Parallels are drawn between human and nonhuman animal research on self-control.
• Conceptual writings on self-control are also considered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review basic research on human temporal discounting.
• To apply lessons from temporal discounting to socially important behaviors.
• To promote the extension of applied behavior analysis to broader behavioral domains.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent basic research on human temporal discounting.
• Analysis of socially important behaviors (drug abuse, eating, exercise, ADHD impulsivity).
• Consideration of behavior within its broader temporal context.

Main Results:

• Temporal discounting research provides insights into self-control.
• Understanding temporal context aids in analyzing socially important behaviors.
• Methodological flexibility combined with conceptual rigor is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Attending to the broader temporal context is key for analyzing socially important behaviors.
• Applied behavior analysis can be extended to more behaviors by considering temporal context.
• Integrating human and animal research enhances understanding of self-control.