Delay discounting: Trait variable?

Abstract

Delay discounting refers to the tendency for outcomes that are remote in time to have less value than more immediate outcomes. Steep discounting of delayed outcomes is associated with a variety of social maladies. The degree of sensitivity to delayed outcomes may be a stable and pervasive individual characteristic. In analyses of archival data, the present study found positive correlations between the degree of delay discounting for one outcome (as measured by the Area Under the Curve), and the degree of discounting for other outcomes. Along with additional evidence reviewed, these data suggest that delay discounting may be considered a personality trait. Recent research in epigenetics, neuroscience, and behavior suggests delay discounting may prove to be a beneficial target for therapeutic attempts to produce global reductions in impulsivity related to delay discounting.

The influence of groups and alcohol consumption on individual risk-taking

“…The second construct, impulsive decision making, denotes a tendency to select immediate outcomes over delayed rewards with greater benefit; also known as delay discounting (Odum, 2011). For example, selecting an immediate £5 payoff, over a £10 reward given the following day.…”

“…Behavioural disinhibition is the inability to supress prepotent responses (Fernie et al, 2010), whereas, impulsive decision making is a type of risk-taking where immediate outcomes are selected over delayed rewards which offer greater benefit (Odum, 2011).…”

Individual differences in use of the recognition heuristic are stable across time, choice objects, domains, and presentation formats

“…Similarly, Aminoff and colleagues (2012) demonstrated stability in criterion shifting in recognition memory across different presentation formats. Furthermore, Odum (2011) reanalyzed prior studies on delay discounting, and the results suggested stability across time for up to one year using many different stimulus materials.…”

Exploring The Development of Social Responses in Children with Callous and Unemotional Traits: An Examination of The Impact of Hypothesized Reinforcing and Aversive Stimuli

“…Additionally, they suggest that the value of punishers will also be discounted, and that both the rewarded and punished discounted values should be proportional to ADHD and impulsivity symptom severity (Critchfield & Kollins, 2001). Odum (2001) suggests that delay discounting may also be a personality trait. She outlines the social importance of the proposed trait with reference to the role of impulsivity and its role in reduced sensitivity to delayed outcomes (Odum, 2001).…”

“…She outlines the social importance of the proposed trait with reference to the role of impulsivity and its role in reduced sensitivity to delayed outcomes (Odum, 2001). She concludes that therapeutic intervention targeting discounting may have far reaching repercussions for impulsivity especially in children with ADHD (Odum, 2001), a factor that may require consideration on the basis of the likelihood of comorbidity in children with CU traits.…”