Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
Alcohol intoxication reduces impulsivity in the delay-discounting paradigm
Catherine N M Ortner1, Tara K MacDonald, Mary C Olmstead
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3, Canada.
Aims:
To examine the moderating effects of alcohol myopia on cognitive impulsivity in humans using the delay-discounting paradigm.
Methods:
Seventy-six male undergraduate students were randomly assigned to sober, placebo or alcohol conditions. In the delay-discounting task, participants made a series of hypothetical choices between a small, immediate reward and a large, delayed reward. To test the predictions of alcohol myopia theory, participants completed a standard version of the task or one containing cues which impelled the impulsive choice (i.e. preference for the small, immediate reward). Participants also completed a personality measure of impulsivity and the go/no-go task, which assesses motor impulsivity.
Results:
Intoxicated participants tended to discount delayed rewards at lower rates than sober participants, and blood alcohol level was inversely correlated with delay discounting. The impelling cues did not moderate the effects of alcohol on delay discounting.
Conclusions:
Alcohol intoxication does not always increase cognitive impulsivity and may lead to more cautious decision-making under certain conditions.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
01:28Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
01:08Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...