Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
07:47
Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
15.5K
Moderate Stability among Delay, Probability, and Effort Discounting in Humans
Gisel G Escobar1,2, Silvia Morales-Chainé1, Jeremy M Haynes3
1Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Universidad Avenue 3004, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico.
The Psychological Record
|February 23, 2023
Summary
This study examined the stability of delay, probability, and effort discounting over time. Results show moderate stability for delay and probability discounting, with individual differences influencing outcomes more than situational factors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral economics
- Decision science
- Cognitive psychology
Background:
- Delay discounting stability is established, but probability and effort discounting stability remain understudied.
- Understanding temporal stability in decision-making is crucial for behavioral economics and psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the temporal stability of delay, probability, and effort discounting tasks.
- To investigate if a common discounting equation explains behavior across these tasks.
- To explore individual differences in discounting behavior.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed delay, probability, and effort discounting tasks on three separate occasions.
- Hypothetical rewards were used to measure discounting behavior.
- Interclass correlation coefficients and mathematical function fits (hyperbolic) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Moderate relative and absolute stability were observed for delay and probability discounting across time.
- Effort discounting showed higher between-subject variability, indicating stronger trait influence.
- Delay and probability discounting were moderately correlated and fitted similar hyperbolic functions.
Conclusions:
- Delay and probability discounting exhibit moderate temporal stability and share common underlying processes.
- Effort discounting appears to involve more unique psychological features.
- Individual trait variables significantly influence discounting behavior more than state variables.
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