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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
07:47
Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
One-year temporal stability of delay-discount rates
1Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA. kkirby@williams.edu
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|May 20, 2009
Summary
Delay-discount rates for monetary rewards show significant temporal stability over one year, similar to personality traits. These rates reflect stable individual differences, though influenced by situational factors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Delay discounting quantifies impulsivity and preference for immediate rewards.
- Understanding the temporal stability of delay-discount rates is crucial for psychological and economic research.
- Previous research has not extensively examined the long-term test-retest reliability of these rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the temporal stability of delay-discount rates for monetary rewards.
- To determine if delay-discount rates represent stable individual differences over time.
- To compare the stability of discount rates with that of established personality traits.
Main Methods:
- A monetary choice questionnaire was administered to 100 undergraduate participants.
- Participants completed the questionnaire at an initial session.
- Follow-up sessions were conducted at 5 weeks, 1 year (57 weeks), and 57 weeks (re-test at 57 weeks).
Main Results:
- The 5-week test-retest stability of discount rates was .77.
- The 1-year stability was .71.
- The 57-week stability was .63, indicating good to excellent reliability over extended periods.
Conclusions:
- Delay-discount rates exhibit substantial temporal stability, comparable to personality traits.
- These rates represent relatively stable individual attributes.
- Situational factors, such as reward type and deprivation state, can moderate discount rates.
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