Preferences for Temporal Sequences of Real Outcomes Differ Across Domains but do not Vary by Age

Corinna E LöckenhoffPhD, Joshua L RuttPhD, Gregory R Samanez-LarkinPhD, Ted O’DonoghuePhD and Valerie F ReynaPhD
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Ted O'Donoghue

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2019, vol. 74, issue 3, 430-439

Abstract: ObjectivesPeople’s preferences for temporal sequences of events have implications for life-long health and well-being. Prior research suggests that other aspects of intertemporal choice vary by age, but evidence for age differences in sequence-preferences is limited and inconclusive. In response, the present research examined age differences in sequence-preferences for real outcomes administered in a controlled laboratory setting.MethodsA pilot study examined sequence-preferences for aversive electrodermal shocks in 30 younger and 30 older adults. The main study examined sequence-preferences for electrodermal shocks, physical effort, and monetary gambles in an adult life-span sample (N = 120). It also examined emotional and physiological responses to sequences as well as underlying mechanisms including time perception and emotion-regulation.ResultsThere were no significant age differences in sequence-preferences in either of the studies, and there were no age differences in responses to sequences in the main study. Instead, there was a domain effect with participants preferring decreasing sequences for shocks and mixed sequences for effort and money.DiscussionAfter considering potential methodological limitations, theoretical contributions and implications for real-life decisions are discussed.

Keywords: Decision making; Intertemporal choice; Sequence-preferences; Time discounting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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