Date of Defense

8-18-2003

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Scott Gaynor

Second Advisor

Dr. Alyce Dickinson

Abstract

Self-control is evidenced by behavioral choices that result in larger, delayed rewards over smaller, immediate rewards, while choice of the latter over the former is considered impulsive. Research using a procedure during which the participant chooses between a hypothetical amount of money available at a delay and an adjusting amount available immediately demonstrates that greater discounting of delayed rewards is found in heavy as compared to light social drinkers, opioiddependent as compared to non-opioid dependent patients, children as compared to young adults, young adults as compared to older adults, low income older adults as compared to high income younger and older adults, and adolescents with ADHD and ODD as compared to adolescents without ADHD/ODD. This study explored the rate at which delayed hypothetical monetary rewards were discounted by college students and whether dysphoria and ADHD/impulsivity were the most useful predictors of delay discounting when other relevant variables were considered. While dysphoric and combined dysphoric and ADHD/impulsive participants evinced greater delay discounting compared to controls, the income of the students' primary financial supporters and willingness to tolerate short-term frustrations and anxieties were the best predictors of rate of delay discounting.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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