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Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
Enhancing tolerance to delayed reinforcers: the role of intervening activities
Mark R Dixon1, Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, Lysette Randich
1Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 62901, USA. mdixon@siu.edu
Abstract:
Three participants with moderate to profound mental retardation were exposed to choices between an immediate small amount and a delayed larger amount of a preferred reinforcer. All participants initially showed a relatively high preference for the smaller reinforcer, suggesting impulsive choice making. However this preference reversed, suggesting self-control, when the larger reinforcer was available immediately and, over time, its delay was gradually increased. Results highlight the potential utility of incorporating concurrent activities into self-control training paradigms.
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