David J. Cox

Effects of delay and probability combinations on discounting in humans

To determine discount rates, researchers typically adjust the amount of an immediate or certain option relative to a delayed or uncertain option. Because this adjusting amount method can be relatively time consuming, researchers have developed more efficient procedures. One such procedure is a 5-trial adjusting delay procedure, which measures the delay at which an amount of money loses half of its value (e.g.,

Influence of second outcome on monetary discounting

1000 is valued at

How to Identify Ethical Practices in Organizations Prior to Employment

500 with a 10-year delay to its receipt). Experiment 1 (n=212) used 5-trial adjusting delay or probability tasks to measure delay discounting of losses, probabilistic gains, and probabilistic losses. Experiment 2 (n=98) assessed combined probabilistic and delayed alternatives. In both experiments, we compared results from 5-trial adjusting delay or probability tasks to traditional adjusting amount procedures. Results suggest both procedures produced similar rates of probability and delay discounting in six out of seven comparisons. A magnitude effect consistent with previous research was observed for probabilistic gains and losses, but not for delayed losses. Results also suggest that delay and probability interact to determine the value of money. Five-trial methods may allow researchers to assess discounting more efficiently as well as study more complex choice scenarios.

Differences in Delay, but not Probability Discounting, in Current Smokers, E-cigarette Users, and Never Smokers

The rates that an outcome (e.g., money) loses value as delay increases or probability decreases are called delay and probability discounting, respectively. Discounting is typically studied by asking participants to make choices between two options that vary in amount and delay (e.g.,

Application of the matching law to pitch selection in professional baseball

50 now vs.

An Evaluation of Explicit Ethical Statements in Telehealth Research With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

100 in 3 months) or probability (e.g., 100% chance of

Function matters: a review of terminological differences in applied and basic clicker training research

50 vs. 60% chance of

Identifying Your Scope of Competence in Autism Treatment

100). Little is known about how more complex options affect discounting. We asked participants (N = 56) to choose between two options that each resulted in two outcomes (e.g., getting

Any reward will do: Effects of a reverse-reward contingency on size preference with pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

50 now and losing

Verbal behavior and risky choice in humans: Exploring the boundaries of the description-experience gap

1000 in 6 months vs. getting