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Related Concept Videos

Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
07:47

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task

Published on: January 9, 2016

A concurrent-choice analysis of amount-dependent temporal discounting.

Jennifer M Kinloch1, K Geoffrey White

  • 1Department of Psychology, The University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand. jen.kinloch@gmail.com

Behavioural Processes
|March 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary

This study demonstrates the magnitude effect in humans, showing that larger monetary rewards are discounted less over time than smaller ones. This finding aligns with the matching law, offering new insights into decision-making processes.

Keywords:
ChoiceHumanMatching lawReinforcer magnitudeTemporal discounting

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Economics
  • Decision Science
  • Neuroeconomics

Background:

  • Temporal discounting describes how reward value decreases with delay.
  • The magnitude effect, a lower discounting rate for larger rewards, is well-documented in animals but less established in humans.
  • Concurrent-choice procedures offer an alternative to titration for measuring preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish evidence for the magnitude effect in human decision-making.
  • To investigate temporal discounting using a concurrent-choice procedure.
  • To assess the consistency of findings with the matching law.

Main Methods:

  • A concurrent-choice procedure was employed.
  • Participants indicated preferences between hypothetical monetary outcomes with varying values and delays.
  • Preference strength was measured, differing from traditional titration methods.

Main Results:

  • The study successfully demonstrated both temporal discounting and a significant magnitude effect in humans.
  • Results indicated that larger monetary rewards were discounted at a slower rate compared to smaller rewards.
  • Further analysis revealed that the observed discounting patterns were consistent with the principles of the matching law.

Conclusions:

  • The magnitude effect is demonstrable in human choice behavior.
  • The concurrent-choice procedure is a viable method for studying temporal discounting and the magnitude effect.
  • Findings support the applicability of the matching law to human intertemporal choice.