Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2025

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Time Matters: Time Perspectives Predict Intertemporal Prosocial Preferences
Teng Lu1, Dapeng Liang1, Mei Hong1
1School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 Xidazhi Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China.
Abstract:
The study utilizes the Chinese version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI-C) and a novelty intertemporal prosocial discounting paradigm to explore the preferences of individuals with the Present Impulsive Time Perspective (PITP) and the Future Time Perspective (FTP) in intertemporal prosocial choices, and uncovers the cognitive mechanisms underpinning intertemporal altruism from the personality traits. The findings revealed: (1) The donation behaviors of both groups decreased as time delay rose, aligning with the hyperbolic model. (2) PITP individuals had significantly higher discount rates than those with FTP, and the scores of FTP individuals on the "Future" dimension of the ZTPI-C were positively correlated with the amount of money they were willing to forgo. These results suggest that time perspective, as a stable personality trait, can predict individuals' intertemporal prosocial preferences. Our research enriches the theory of intertemporal choices and extends the Perceived-time-based model (PTBM) to the domain of intertemporal social preferences.
Related Concept Videos
Framing Effects
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
Empathy
Hindsight Biases
Persuasion Strategies
Egoism and Altruism

