INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN MAKING INTERTEMPORAL CHOICES FOR MONETARY AND FOOD CHOICE TASKS: USING DRIFT-DIFFUSION MODEL (DDM)

Abstract

In order to better understand the individual differences in intertemporal choices,extensive research has studied how demographic factors affect an individual's decision-making. Because some intertemporal decisions are made rapidly, the decision-making processes behind those choices are rarely mentioned in past research. Also, research on the effects of gender on intertemporal decisions has shown inconsistency, and even opposing results. To further examine whether and how males and females differ in the cognitive processes of speeding intertemporal choices, I conduct an online choice experiment involving two simple choice tasks. For the monetary choice experiment, the participants made hypothetical choices between receiving immediate smaller rewards and delayed larger rewards. Another task is a food choice experiment, where the participants chose between tastier but less healthy foods and healthier but less tasty foods. Finally, I find that there is no significant gender effect influencing the individual differences in intertemporal choices.