Author(s): Hal Ersner-Hershfield | M. Tess Garton | Kacey Ballard | Gregory R. Samanez-Larkin | Brian Knutson
Journal: Judgment and Decision Making
ISSN 1930-2975
Volume: 4;
Issue: 4;
Start page: 280;
Date: 2009;
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Keywords: Intertemporal choice | temporal discounting | futureself-continuity | saving behavior.
ABSTRACT
Some people find it more difficult to delay rewards than others. In three experiments, we tested a ``future self-continuity'' hypothesis that individual differences in the perception of one's present self as continuous with a future self would be associated with measures of saving in the laboratory and everyday life. Higher future self-continuity (assessed by a novel index) predicted reduced discounting of future rewards in a laboratory task, more matches in adjectival descriptions of present and future selves, and greater lifetime accumulation of financial assets (even after controlling for age and education). In addition to demonstrating the reliability and validity of the future self-continuity index, these findings are consistent with the notion that increased future self-continuity might promote saving for the future.
Journal: Judgment and Decision Making
ISSN 1930-2975
Volume: 4;
Issue: 4;
Start page: 280;
Date: 2009;
VIEW PDF
DOWNLOAD PDF Original pageKeywords: Intertemporal choice | temporal discounting | futureself-continuity | saving behavior.
ABSTRACT
Some people find it more difficult to delay rewards than others. In three experiments, we tested a ``future self-continuity'' hypothesis that individual differences in the perception of one's present self as continuous with a future self would be associated with measures of saving in the laboratory and everyday life. Higher future self-continuity (assessed by a novel index) predicted reduced discounting of future rewards in a laboratory task, more matches in adjectival descriptions of present and future selves, and greater lifetime accumulation of financial assets (even after controlling for age and education). In addition to demonstrating the reliability and validity of the future self-continuity index, these findings are consistent with the notion that increased future self-continuity might promote saving for the future.
