Discount Rates Vary Within Individuals Throughout Daily Life in Conjunction With Momentary Changes in Affect

Abstract

Temporal discounting rate, the extent to which one values immediate rewards over larger future rewards, is typically considered a trait measure, with higher discount rates associated with increased impulsivity. Given increasing lab-based evidence that discount rates may be sensitive to context, including current affect, we developed a novel approach to measure discount rates in daily life. Participants (N = 116, N_obs = 4,112) completed a 7-day experience sampling protocol, where they made an intertemporal choice at six random times throughout each day on their smartphones. Participants also self-reported their affect (valence and arousal) and awareness of bodily sensations associated with affect. We found that discount rates were variable within participants throughout their daily life, and this variability was associated with their current subjective experience; discount rates were higher when participants reported more pleasant or lower arousal affect or lesser body awareness. The findings highlight the need to study intertemporal choice in a more context-dependent manner.