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Willis-Moore ME, Haynes JM, Frye CCJ, Johnson HM, Cousins DJ, Bamfo HD, Odum AL. Recent Experience Affects Delay Discounting: Evidence across Temporal Framing, Signs, and Magnitudes. Perspect Behav Sci 2024; 47:365-392. [PMID: 39099743 PMCID: PMC11294302 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-024-00412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Delay discounting, the decrease in outcome value as a function of delay to receipt, is an extensive area of research. How delays are framed (i.e., temporal framing), as well as the sign and magnitude of an outcome, produce important effects on the degree to which outcomes are discounted. Here, we examined how recent experience (i.e., order of presentation) modifies these well-known findings. Experiment 1 examined the effects of temporal framing across gains and losses. Regardless of outcome sign, the order of task presentation affected the effect of temporal framing. In particular, when typical delay frames (e.g., 1 week) preceded delays framed as actual dates (e.g., February 15), discounting was less in the date-framed task. However, when dates were followed by the delay frame, there was no difference in the degree of discounting. The experience of date-framed delays persisted or carried over to the delay-framed task. Experiment 2 examined recent experience and the magnitude effect. In particular, $10 and $100 were discounted similarly between-subjects when it was the first task completed. However, once participants completed the second magnitude task, the magnitude effect was present both within-subjects and across subjects. Furthermore, $10 was discounted more steeply when it followed $100, and $100 was discounted less steeply when it followed $10. The impact of recent experience on delay discounting has important implications for understanding mechanisms that may contribute to delay discounting. Recent experience should be considered when designing delay discounting experiments as well as when implementing interventions to reduce steep delay discounting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy M. Haynes
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Hannah M. Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL USA
| | | | - Humphrey D. Bamfo
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Amy L. Odum
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT USA
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Rasmussen EB, Camp L, Lawyer SR. The Use of Nonmonetary Outcomes in Health-Related Delay Discounting Research: Review and Recommendations. Perspect Behav Sci 2024; 47:523-558. [PMID: 39099748 PMCID: PMC11294320 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-024-00403-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Delay discounting (DD) refers to the tendency to devalue an outcome as a function of its delay. Most contemporary human DD research uses hypothetical money to assess individual rates of DD. However, nonmonetary outcomes such as food, substances of misuse, and sexual outcomes have been used as well, and have advantages because of their connections to health. This article reviews the literature on the use of nonmonetary outcomes of food, drugs, and sexual outcomes in relation to health and reinforcer pathologies such as substance use disorders, obesity, and sexual risk behaviors, respectively, and makes a case for their use in discounting research. First, food, substances, and sex may be more ecologically valid outcomes than money in terms of their connections to health problems and reinforcer pathologies. Second, consistent trends in commodity-specific (i.e., domain) effects, in which nonmonetary outcomes are discounted more steeply than money, enhance variation in discounting values. Third, commodity-specific changes in discounting with treatments designed to change health choices are described. Finally, methodological trends such as test-retest reliability, magnitude effects, the use of hypothetical versus real outcomes, and age-related effects are discussed in relation to the three outcome types and compared to trends with monetary discounting. Limitations that center around individual preferences, nonsystematic data, and deprivation are discussed. We argue that researchers can enhance their DD research, especially those related to health problems and reinforcer pathologies, with the use of nonmonetary outcomes. Recommendations for future directions of research are delineated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin B. Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112 USA
| | - Lillith Camp
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112 USA
| | - Steven R. Lawyer
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112 USA
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3
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Mitzel LD, Johnson MW, Vanable PA. Delay Discounting and Sexual Decision-Making: Understanding Condom Use Behavior Among U.S. College Students. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:2605-2617. [PMID: 37085661 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Condoms provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases; however, condomless sex remains common among college students and intentions to use condoms do not consistently translate into condom use. This study tested which indicator of condom use intentions from a delay discounting paradigm of condom-protected sex best accounted for variance in condom use behavior. The sample consisted of 187 sexually active college students (51.9% female) who completed measures of condom use during vaginal and anal sex over the past three months and a decision-making paradigm regarding condom intentions with hypothetical sexual partners. In separate models, condom behavior was regressed on one of three indicators of condom intentions: initial intentions to use a condom, delay discounting of condom-protected sex, and overall area under the curve across all trials. Results showed that delay discounting of condom-protected sex best accounted for variance in absolute frequency of condomless sex, whereas initial intentions to use a condom best accounted for variance in relative proportion of condomless sex. Future research directions and implications for interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D Mitzel
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
- Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, 620 Erie Blvd W, Syracuse, NY, 13204, USA.
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter A Vanable
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Coleman Lewis J, MacCarthy S, Linnemayr S. Assessing behavioral economic biases among young adults who have increased likelihood of acquiring HIV: a mixed methods study in Baltimore, Maryland. AIDS Res Ther 2023; 20:25. [PMID: 37150823 PMCID: PMC10165802 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-023-00521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioral economic (BE) biases have been studied in the context of numerous health conditions, yet are understudied in the field of HIV prevention. This aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of four common BE biases-present bias, information salience, overoptimism, and loss aversion-relating to condom use and HIV testing in economically-vulnerable young adults who had increased likelihood of acquiring HIV. We also qualitatively examined participants' perceptions of these biases. METHODS 43 participants were enrolled in the study. Data were collected via interviews using a quantitative survey instrument embedded with qualitative questions to characterize responses. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using descriptive statistics and deductive-inductive content analyses. RESULTS 56% of participants were present-biased, disproportionately discounting future rewards for smaller immediate rewards. 51% stated they were more likely to spend than save given financial need. Present-bias relating to condom use was lower with 28% reporting they would engage in condomless sex rather than wait one day to access condoms. Most participants (72%) were willing to wait for condom-supported sex given the risk. Only 35% knew someone living with HIV, but 67% knew someone who had taken an HIV test, and 74% said they often think about preventing HIV (e.g., high salience). Yet, 47% reported optimistically planning for condom use, HIV discussions with partners, or testing but failing to stick to their decision. Most (98%) were also averse (b = 9.4, SD ±.9) to losing their HIV-negative status. Qualitative reasons for sub-optimal condom or testing choices were having already waited to find a sex partner, feeling awkward, having fear, or not remembering one's plan in the moment. Optimal decisions were attributed qualitatively to self-protective thoughts, establishing routine care, standing on one's own, and thinking of someone adversely impacted by HIV. 44% of participants preferred delayed monetary awards (e.g., future-biased), attributed qualitatively to fears of spending immediate money unwisely or needing time to plan. CONCLUSION Mixed methods BE assessments may be a valuable tool in understanding factors contributing to optimal and sub-optimal HIV prevention decisions. Future HIV prevention interventions may benefit from integrating savings products, loss framing, commitment contracts, cues, or incentives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Health Behavior, Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, 310 Rosenau Hall CB #7400, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Jessica Coleman Lewis
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sarah MacCarthy
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Downey H, Haynes JM, Johnson HM, Odum AL. Deprivation Has Inconsistent Effects on Delay Discounting: A Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:787322. [PMID: 35221945 PMCID: PMC8867822 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.787322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Delay discounting, the tendency for outcomes to be devalued as they are more temporally remote, has implications as a target for behavioral interventions. Because of these implications, it is important to understand how different states individuals may face, such as deprivation, influence the degree of delay discounting. Both dual systems models and state-trait views of delay discounting assume that deprivation may result in steeper delay discounting. Despite early inconsistencies and mixed results, researchers have sometimes asserted that deprivation increases delay discounting, with few qualifications. The aim of this review was to determine what empirical effect, if any, deprivation has on delay discounting. We considered many kinds of deprivation, such as deprivation from sleep, drugs, and food in humans and non-human animals. For 23 studies, we analyzed the effect of deprivation on delay discounting by computing effect sizes for the difference between delay discounting in a control, or baseline, condition and delay discounting in a deprived state. We discuss these 23 studies and other relevant studies found in our search in a narrative review. Overall, we found mixed effects of deprivation on delay discounting. The effect may depend on what type of deprivation participants faced. Effect sizes for deprivation types ranged from small for sleep deprivation (Hedge's gs between −0.21 and 0.07) to large for opiate deprivation (Hedge's gs between 0.42 and 1.72). We discuss possible reasons why the effect of deprivation on delay discounting may depend on deprivation type, including the use of imagined manipulations and deprivation intensity. The inconsistency in results across studies, even when comparing within the same type of deprivation, indicates that more experiments are needed to reach a consensus on the effects of deprivation on delay discounting. A basic understanding of how states affect delay discounting may inform translational efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylee Downey
- Odum Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Haynes
- Odum Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Hannah M. Johnson
- Odum Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Amy L. Odum
- Odum Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Amy L. Odum
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Bable RA, Ackerlund Brandt JA. Delay Discounting, Dating Applications, and Risky Sexual Behavior: An Exploratory Study. PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40732-021-00506-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Johnson MW, Strickland JC, Herrmann ES, Dolan SB, Cox DJ, Berry MS. Sexual discounting: A systematic review of discounting processes and sexual behavior. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 29:711-738. [PMID: 33001694 PMCID: PMC8977071 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral processes underlying sexual behavior are important for understanding normal human functioning and risk behavior leading to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This systematic review examines delay and probability discounting in human sexual behavior through synthesis of 50 peer-reviewed, original research articles. Sixteen studies focusing exclusively on monetary delay discounting found small effect size positive correlations with sexual risk behaviors. Eleven studies examined delay or probability discounting of sexual behavior itself using tasks that varied duration, frequency, or quality of sex to determine value. Results show delay and uncertainty of sex causes systematic decreases in value. These studies also show consistent medium effect size relationships between sexual discounting measures and sexual health and substance use, supporting utility above and beyond monetary discounting. Twenty-three studies have modeled clinically relevant decision-making, examining effects of delay until condom availability and STI contraction probability on condom use. Observational and experimental designs found condom-use discounting is elevated in high-risk substance use populations, is sensitive to context (e.g., partner desirability), and is more robustly related to sexual risk compared with monetary discounting or condom use decisions when no delay/uncertainty was involved. Administering cocaine, alcohol, and, for some participants, methamphetamine increased condom-use discounting with minimal effect on monetary discounting or condom use when no delay/uncertainty was involved. Reviewed studies robustly support that sexual behavior is highly dependent on delay and probability discounting, and that these processes strongly contribute to sexual risk. Future research should exploit these systematic relationships to design behavioral and pharmacological approaches to decrease sexual risk behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W. Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Justin C. Strickland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Sean B. Dolan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J. Cox
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Meredith S. Berry
- Human Behavioral Pharmacology and Decision-Making Laboratory, Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Harsin JD, Gelino BW, Strickland JC, Johnson MW, Berry MS, Reed DD. Behavioral economics and safe sex: Examining condom use decisions from a reinforcer pathology framework. J Exp Anal Behav 2021; 116:149-165. [PMID: 34227121 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Condom use substantially reduces unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. While condom availability is a significant public health priority, effects of condom availability constraints remain relatively under-researched. The limited research on condom availability suggests two major barriers to use: (1) effort/costs and (2) delay to access. To date, we are aware of no study that explores both demand for and discounting of condom availability; the focus of this study was to account for condom decisions using a reinforcement pathology framework. This study used a condom purchase task and the Sexual Delay Discounting Task to quantify behavioral economics of condom use. Low sexual discounting was associated with higher willingness to engage unprotected sex. Demand metrics suggest participants indicating abstinence at condom breakpoint were willing to pay nearly double for condoms relative to individuals indicating unprotected sex at breakpoint. Finally, we grouped participants into reinforcement pathology risk groups based on their discounting and demand indices; these groups significantly differed in self-reported number of sexual partners, unprotected sexual partners, and Sexual Desire scores. This study demonstrates the value of behavioral economic approaches to public health concerns, and further underscores the translational benefits of quantitative metrics to shed novel light on risky health decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Harsin
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas.,Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment
| | - Brett W Gelino
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas.,Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment
| | - Justin C Strickland
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Meredith S Berry
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida.,Department of Psychology, University of Florida
| | - Derek D Reed
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas.,Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment
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Dolan SB, Johnson PS, Johnson MW. The Hotel Room Purchase Task: Effects of Gender and Partner Desirability on Demand for Hypothetical Sex in Individuals with Disordered Cocaine Use and Controls. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:1251-1262. [PMID: 31989411 PMCID: PMC8977073 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01634-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Hypothetical purchase tasks allow for rapid assessment of behavioral economic demand for numerous commodities and are useful in evaluating reinforcer pathologies, such as substance and behavioral addiction. Currently, there is not a task for evaluating demand for sex without requiring implicit engagement in sex work. The current study used a novel purchase task with hotel rooms for sex as the hypothetical commodity to assess demand for sex in individuals with disordered cocaine use, a population that frequently engages in risky sexual behavior. Adults meeting criteria for cocaine abuse or dependence (13 males, ten females) and noncocaine-using controls (eight males, three females) chose hypothetical sexual partners from a series of photographs and endorsed two partners with whom they would most and least like to have sex. Participants then completed the hotel purchase task for both partners, wherein they reported how many nights at a hotel room, at prices from $10 to $1280 per night, they would purchase in a year. Demand intensity was significantly greater and demand elasticity was significantly lower for the most preferred relative to the less preferred partner. Males demonstrated significantly greater intensity and lesser elasticity for sex than females. Demand metrics did not differ between the cocaine and control group. This task may serve as a useful measure of demand for sex without requiring implicit hypothetical engagement in sex work. Future studies exploring the relation between task performance and other characteristics such as sexual dysfunction, in addition to acute substance administration effects, may further determine the task's clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean B Dolan
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Dr., Suite 3026, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Patrick S Johnson
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA, USA
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Dr., Suite 3026, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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