Intertemporal choices

7 important questions on Intertemporal choices

How should we model intertemporal choices?

  • Exponential
  • hyperbolic
  • Quasi-hyperbolic

Two predominant neuroscience models for intertemporal choices in 2008:

  • Beta-delta model
  • neurometric model

Beta/delta model (2008)

  • Neural/psychological interpretation of the 2 exponential discount
    Dual -> animal interpretation
  • animal
    instincts to want everything now (beta) combined with a more rational self, which determine our behaviour (delta).
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Beta-delta and neurometric models are valuation models. What does this mean?

You have choice options in many specific trials and one or two sets of brain regions do this subjective value computation.

Whatever options has the highest subjective value is chosen

In beta/delta model there are two of those discounting processes going on

  • Beta processes
    • steep/impatient discounting of non-immediate rewards
    • Active when immediate rewards are available: now trials
    • VS, mPFC, mOFC, PCC
  • Delta processes
    • patient
    • moderately discount all rewards
    • active durIng all trials: now and not-now
    • IPFC, PCC, LOCF

Methodological peculiarities (eigenaardigheden)

  • Participants made lots and lost of these choices
    -> highly overtrained
  • inconsistent participants were removed
  • SS was constant (and not even shown): $20 now
  • Might induce specific strategies?
  • Don't talk about self-control

Third model: self-control model
In the definition of self-control:

  • Choice does NOT always follow automatically from valuation
  • Self-control allows one to resist prepotent …
  • sans-serifTake the LL despite the tempting immediate SS
    (e.g., go to the gym instead of watching a movie)
  • Back then, never directly investigated in intertemporal choice


  • Causal evidence from rTMS studies in social and risky DM (knoch & Fehr, 2007)
    • Disruption of right LPFC function à reduced self-control

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

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