Strive to Win or Not to Lose? Age-Related Differences in Framing Effects on Effort-Based Decision-Making. (20th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Byrne, Kaileigh A; Ghaiumy Anaraky, Reza
• Editors: Isaacowitz, Derek
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 75:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 2095
• Page End: 2105
• Publication Date: 2019-10-20
• Subjects: Aging -- Decision-making -- Effort -- Framing effects; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbz136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5014

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This study sought to assess how framing effects modulate age-related differences in effort-based decision-making. Consistent with the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model's loss prevention account of aging, we predicted that older adults would be more willing to select high-effort options in loss contexts than gain contexts. Method: Older and younger adults completed the effort expenditure for rewards task (EEfRT) in either a gain or loss context. The EEfRT is an effort-based decision-making paradigm in which participants choose between a low-effort, "easy" option and a high-effort, "hard" option for several trials. The probability and value of an outcome varies on a trial-by-trial basis. Results: The results supported our prediction and the SOC model. Older adults chose more high-effort, difficult options in loss frames than gain frames. Older adults also chose more low-effort, easy options than younger adults in gain contexts, but did not differ from younger adults in loss contexts. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that framing effects impact older adults' effort-based decisions. Older adults appear willing to incur a greater "cost" in the form of effort to prevent a loss than to attain a reward.