Acute-alcohol effects on the Experiential Discounting Task (EDT) and a question-based measure of delay discounting

Background: Neurodevelopmental and alcohol-induced changes in decision-making have been proposed to critically influence impulsive behaviour in adolescents. Objective: This study tested the influence of acute alcohol administration on impulsive choice in adolescents. Methods: Fifty-four males aged 18–19 years were tested in a single-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design. During alcohol administration (infusion resulting in an arterial blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg%) and placebo condition (saline infusion), participants performed a task battery providing estimates of delay discounting, probability discounting for gains, for losses and loss aversion, and also rated subjectively experienced alcohol effects. Additionally, baseline alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, blood phosphatidylethanol levels), motives (Drinking Motive Questionnaire, Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale), family history and self-report measures of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Substance Use Risk Profile Scale) were provided. Results: No overall effects of treatment on choice behaviour were found. However, individual differences were observed. In the alcohol condition, more impulsive choice tendencies for delay discounting were associated with higher subjectively experienced alcohol effects. Further, higher risk aversion for probabilistic gains and higher loss aversion during alcohol condition were related to higher levels of real-life alcohol consumption and a family history of alcohol problems, respectively. Finally, the time to make a decision was substantially shortened for choices involving negative prospects. Conclusions: Contrary to common beliefs, acute alcohol intoxication did not generally incite impulsive decision-making. It rather appears that alcohol-induced behavioural changes in adolescents vary considerably depending on prior experiences and subjective effects of alcohol.

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Procrastination among videogamers

10.31219/osf.io/4r7eg ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Gerit Pfuhl ◽

Kent Nordby

Keyword(s):

Video Games ◽

Young People ◽

Discount Rate ◽

Delay Discounting ◽

Video Game ◽

Video Gaming ◽

Delayed Gratification ◽

Severe Problem ◽

Game Players ◽

Experiential Discounting Task

Background: Procrastination is seen as a severe problem among young people, and many factors have been claimed to be associated with it, playing video games being one of them. One of the reasons why video games might be related to procrastination is their ability to offer instant gratification and feedback, while at the same time offer distractions from less tempting and rewarding tasks. It is not yet agreed on whether or not video game players are more prone towards procrastination and discounting of future rewards.Method: Over 500 participants across two studies completed two surveys on video gaming habits, as well as a measurement of procrastination tendencies. In study 1 participants performed an experiential discounting task, while participants in study 2 performed the 5-trial adjusting delay discounting task, both tasks assessing preference for delayed larger rewards.Results: In study 1, hours of videogaming was not significantly related to procrastination or the discount rate. In study 2, hours of videogaming was not strongly associated with procrastination and delay discounting either. However, when asked why they play, those answering to escape reality and to reduce stress had more problems of procrastination than those who play for entertainment, reward or social reasons. Overall, the association between procrastination and hours spent playing video games was weak but positive, r(513) = .122. Discussion: Time spent enjoying and engaging in video gaming is done for various reasons, only for a few this is related to procrastination. By using only hypothetical payouts in the discounting tasks, the absence of a relationship between hours spent video gaming, procrastination and delayed gratification requires further investigation. However, playing video games is more than mere procrastination.

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Low-Dose Alcohol Effects on Measures of Inhibitory Control, Delay Discounting, and Risk-Taking

Current Addiction Reports ◽

10.1007/s40429-016-0086-y ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 75-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jessica Weafer ◽

Mark T. Fillmore

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Control ◽

Delay Discounting ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Low Dose ◽

Control Delay ◽

Alcohol Effects

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The Experiential Discounting Task is sensitive to cigarette-smoking status and correlates with a measure of delay discounting

Behavioural Pharmacology ◽

10.1097/01.fbp.0000190684.77360.c0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 133-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Brady Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Delay Discounting ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Experiential Discounting Task

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Cognitive Reflection Effects on Time Discounting

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000254 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 99-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michał Białek ◽

Przemysław Sawicki

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Individual Difference ◽

Delay Discounting ◽

Reference Point ◽

Reference Points ◽

Cognitive Reflection Test ◽

Process Information ◽

Time Discounting ◽

Cognitive Reflection ◽

The Way

Abstract. In this work, we investigated individual differences in cognitive reflection effects on delay discounting – a preference for smaller sooner over larger later payoff. People are claimed to prefer more these alternatives they considered first – so-called reference point – over the alternatives they considered later. Cognitive reflection affects the way individuals process information, with less reflective individuals relying predominantly on the first information they consider, thus, being more susceptible to reference points as compared to more reflective individuals. In Experiment 1, we confirmed that individuals who scored high on the Cognitive Reflection Test discount less strongly than less reflective individuals, but we also show that such individuals are less susceptible to imposed reference points. Experiment 2 replicated these findings additionally providing evidence that cognitive reflection predicts discounting strength and (in)dependency to reference points over and above individual difference in numeracy.

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Delay Discounting in Impulsive Behavior

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000360 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 312-321 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Diana Moreira ◽

Fernando Barbosa

Keyword(s):

Delay Discounting ◽

Human Subjects ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Impulsive Behavior ◽

Manual Search ◽

Study Results ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

The Future

Abstract. Delay discounting (DD) is the process of devaluing results that happen in the future. With this review, we intend to identify specificities in the processes of DD in impulsive behavior. Studies were retrieved from multiple literature databases, through rigorous criteria (we included systematic reviews and empirical studies with adult human subjects), following the procedures of the Cochrane Collaboration initiative. Of the 174 documents obtained, 19 were considered eligible for inclusion and were retained for in-depth analysis. In addition, 13 studies from the manual search were included. Thus, a total of 32 studies were selected for review. The objectives/hypotheses, results, and the main conclusion(s) were extracted from each study. Results show that people with pronounced traits of impulsivity discount rewards more markedly, that is, they prefer immediate rewards, though of less value, or postponed losses, even though they worsen in the future. Taken together, the existing data suggest the importance of inserting DD as a tool for initial assessment in conjunction with measures of addiction and stress level, as well as the consideration of new therapies.

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