Preferences for Temporal Sequences of Real Outcomes Differ Across Domains but do not Vary by Age. (8th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Löckenhoff, Corinna E; Rutt, Joshua L; Samanez-Larkin, Gregory R; O'Donoghue, Ted; Reyna, Valerie F
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 74:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2017-07-08
• Subjects: Decision making -- Intertemporal choice -- Sequence-preferences -- Time discounting; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbx094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5014

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: People'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. Methods: A 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. Results: There 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. Discussion: After considering potential methodological limitations, theoretical contributions and implications for real-life decisions are discussed.