The Effect Of Choice Deferral And Personality Traits On Intertemporal Chioce Preferecce

The purpose of this research was to extend the research field concerning the aftereffect of choice deferral. Based on previous studies, this research focused on the preference reversal phenomenon in intertemporal choice. Two experiments were implemented in this research to mainly explore the effect of choice deferral behavior on intertemporal choice preference and its mechanism. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of self-control and time perception in it can be examined.Study 1 takes MP4 as the prize to establish an awarded questionnaire survey. In order to explore the effects of choice deferral and self-control on intertemporal choice preference, high and low levels of self-control types of subjects were randomly assigned to three types of selection condition. The results demonstrated as below: Compared with other conditions, the main effect of the selection condition was significant. Subjects under the condition of choice deferral preferred to large-later options; compared with low self-control group, the main effect of self-control was significant. The individuals with high level self-control preferred to large-later options; the interactive effect of selection condition and self-control was significant. As for low self-control subjects, choice deferral made them prefer to large-later options. But for high self-control subjects, choice deferral made no effect on them. In terms of the mechanism of choice deferral for intertemporal choice preference,mediation analyses found that moderated mediation of overestimation about intertemporal options’ subjective value is significant, In order to make the choice deferral rationalized, the individuals would overestimate the subjective value of options for which they were waiting. Correspondingly, they preferred to larger-later options. Study 2 takes chocolate as the prize to establish an awarded questionnaire survey similar to Study 1. Both subjects of overestimated and underestimated time-perception were randomly assigned to the three types of selection conditions. The results demonstrated as below: The main effect of the selection condition was still significant; the main effect of time perception which belongs to personality traits was not significant; the interactive effect of selection condition and time perception was not significant; mediation analyses found that time costs and time distance of delay-waiting did not mediate the effect of choice deferral on intertemporal choice preference.On the basis of comprehensive analysis above, this paper suggested that choice deferral belonging to decision avoidance behavior was not a neutral act. And indeed it would have an effect on intertemporal choice preference, which would be moderated by the self-control level of individuals. In order to rationalize the waiting process along with choice deferral, individuals would not underestimate the time costs or time distance, but to overestimate the subjective value of options for which they are waiting. Therefore, they would prefer larger-later option much more.