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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
07:47
Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
Investigations in spontaneous discounting.
Daniel M Oppenheimer1, Benoît Monin
1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA. doppenhe@princeton.edu
Memory & Cognition
|June 3, 2009
Summary
Causal discounting, where one cause weakens belief in another, can occur spontaneously. This study provides evidence against memory inhibition as the sole explanation for this cognitive phenomenon.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Causal discounting, the reduction in belief for a cause due to the presence of another potential cause, was previously thought to be influenced by experimental demands.
- Oppenheimer's (2004) research suggested spontaneous causal discounting, but the role of memory inhibition remained a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether causal discounting occurs spontaneously or is an artifact of memory inhibition.
- To differentiate between spontaneous causal discounting and inhibition-based discounting using a surname frequency estimation paradigm.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a surname frequency estimation paradigm to assess causal discounting.
- Conducted three studies manipulating factors such as semantic meaning, cognitive load, and reward incentives.
Main Results:
- Participants exhibited causal discounting even when semantic meaning was a plausible explanation (Study 1).
- Cognitive load reduced the extent of discounting (Study 2).
- A reward for accuracy increased discounting (Study 3).
Conclusions:
- The findings support a spontaneous causal discounting account over the memory inhibition alternative.
- This research clarifies the mechanisms underlying causal discounting, demonstrating its spontaneous nature under specific conditions.
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