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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
07:47
Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
Positive mood effects on delay discounting.
Jacob B Hirsh1, Alex Guindon, Dominique Morisano
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jacob.hirsh@utoronto.ca
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Extraverted individuals show increased preference for immediate rewards when in a positive mood, suggesting personality and situational factors influence delay discounting. This highlights impulsivity in extraverts.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral economics
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Delay discounting describes the reduced value of future rewards.
- Higher discounting rates correlate with preferring immediate gratification.
- Extraversion is linked to a preference for immediate rewards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of situational positive mood on the relationship between extraversion and delay discounting.
- To explore the interaction between personality traits and affective states in decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed measures of personality (Extraversion) and cognitive ability.
- Delay discounting tasks were administered.
- Situational mood was manipulated through mood inductions.
Main Results:
- Extraversion and cognitive ability significantly predicted discounting rates.
- A significant interaction between Extraversion and positive affect was found.
- Extraverted individuals showed a stronger preference for immediate rewards after a positive mood induction.
Conclusions:
- Extraversion, particularly when combined with positive affect, increases preference for immediate rewards.
- Situational factors like mood can modulate personality-driven impulsive behavior.
- Findings suggest extraverts are sensitive to incentive-driven choices influenced by positive emotions.
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