"Impulsivity" and Self Control

Behavior always involves ______

choice

An __________ small reward is pitted against a _______ but bigger reward

immediate, delayed

If you choose smalle and immediate, you are acting _________

impulsively

If you choose large but delayed, you are showing ___________

Self-control

_______ reinforcers are less reinforcing than __________ ones.

Delayed, immediate

Reinforcers have ____ value when they are delayed

less

Would you rather have me give you $50 today or $50 next week? The value of the delayed reward is usually _________

discounted

Small amount of money, beer, candy, and soda lose value to someone ______ than money

quicker

The greater the value of something the ______ it will be discounted

slower

As you approach time when a smaller reinforcer is available the reinforcers value goes ___ and even more drastically with a larger reinforcement

up

In a short amount of time the ____ reinforcer is subjectively more valuable than the _______ reinforcer.

large, small

Right before the small reinforcer the _____ reinforcer is subjectively more valuable than the ______ reinforcer

small, large

Earlier in time someone is more likely to show _________ and wait for th large reinforcer because its valued more than the small reinforcer

Self-control

Right before the small reinforcer someone is more likely to act _________ and choose the small reinforcer because it’s valued more than the large reinforcer

impulsively

Preference Reverse in Pigeons

• Left Key that is red and elicits an immediate small reward

• Right Key that is green and elicits a delayed large reward

The longer the pigeons had to wait for the reward the more the preferences started to reverse from the __________ to choose the _______ reward to showing more _________ for the ______ reward

impulsivity, small, self-control, large

What are the 3 ways to improve self-control?

1. Make delayed reward more rewarding

2. Make immediate reward less rewarding

3. Precommitment

Commit early to delayed reinforcer

Precommitment

People who gamble, smoke or have a substance use disorder have ________ discounting curves (act more impulsive and choose smaller more immediate rewards)

steeper

In animals, steeper discounters for food later self-administer more alcohol or cocaine, showing ______________ from self-control to impulsivity

preference reverse

Which category of smoking has the steepest discounting curve?

Current smokers

Which discounting curve is the same one for non-smokers?

Ex-smokers