Psychological Mechanism Underlying Preference Reversals in Intertemporal Choice

Hai-xian CHEN he

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2012, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (4) : 862-867.

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2012, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (4) : 862-867.

Psychological Mechanism Underlying Preference Reversals in Intertemporal Choice

  • Hai-xian CHEN1,he
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Preferences reverse between near choice and distant choice is normal in intertemporal choice. Affection, tine perception and varying decision weighting are three hypothesizes explaining preferences reverse in intertemporal choice. This study tests these hypothesizes by scaling affection strength, perceived time length, and decision weighting in decision making directly. The results indicate: (1) SS activates stronger affection in proximal choice but not in distant choice; (2) affection strength can predict proximal choice but not distant choice; (3) the difference of the strength of impulsive affection and length of time perception between proximal choice and distant choice can predict preferences reverses. The results support affection and time perception hypothesizes.

Key words

intertemporal choice / time discounting / preference reversals

Cite this article

Download Citations
Hai-xian CHEN he. Psychological Mechanism Underlying Preference Reversals in Intertemporal Choice[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2012, 35(4): 862-867

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/