The Role of Ambiguity and Anxiety in Intertemporal Choices
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2018-02-05
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en
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Abstract
This study focused on the role of anxiety and ambiguity in intertemporal choices. For that,
104 people took part in a study by filling in some questionnaires, such as the State-Trait
Anxiety Inventory, and completing an intertemporal choice computer task, where they had to
choose between a fixed smaller-sooner reward today (5€), or a variable larger reward later. In
half of the trials the delivery time of the larger-later reward had a certain range of days so
participants did not know the exact waiting time for the reward (ambiguous trials). The data
of 100 participants (M = 22 years) were included in the analysis. The results showed no
significant main effect of anxiety on intertemporal choices. Furthermore, the interactionhypothesis
was falsified: there is no interaction between anxiety and ambiguity on
intertemporal choices. Several explanations with regard to e.g. the participation sample and
suggestions for further research are given. It is concluded that there is no relation between
anxiety and ambiguity in intertemporal choices and that further research is needed.
Keywords: Intertemporal Choice, ambiguity, anxiety
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen