Mechanisms of impulsive choice: II. Time-based interventions to improve self-control

Abstract

Impulsive choice behavior has been proposed as a primary risk factor for other maladaptive behaviors (e.g., gambling, substance abuse). Recent research has suggested that timing processes may play a key role in impulsive choice behavior, and could provide an avenue for altering impulsive choice. Accordingly, the current experiments assessed a set of time-based behavioral interventions to increase self-control while simultaneously assessing effects on timing processes within the impulsive choice task. Three experiments assessed temporal interventions using a differential reinforcement of low rates task (Experiment 1) and exposure to either a variable or fixed interval schedule (Experiments 2–3). The efficacy of the interventions was assessed in Sprague-Dawley (Experiments 1–2) and Lewis (Experiment 3) rat strains. Impulsive choice behavior was assessed by measuring preferences of a smaller-sooner (SS) versus a larger-later (LL) reward, while timing of the SS and LL durations was measured during peak trials within the impulsive choice procedure. The rats showed an increased preference for the LL following all three time-based interventions and also displayed increased temporal precision. These results add to the increasing evidence that supports a possible role for temporal processing in impulsive choice behavior and supply novel behavioral interventions to decrease impulsive behavior.

Mechanisms of Individual Differences in Impulsive and Risky Choice in Rats

“…The correlational pattern indicates that the rats with more precise timing (steeper bisection psychophysical functions) and greater delay tolerance (later breakpoints) showed greater LL preference (self-control) in the impulsive choice task. Due to the correlational nature of these results, we cannot determine whether timing precision, delay tolerance, and/or self-control possess causal relationships, but some additional recent work from our laboratory examining time-based interventions to improve self-control suggests that timing processes may have a causal relationship with impulsive choice (Smith et al, 2015).In addition to examining the potential role of timing processes in impulsive choice, Marshall et al (2014) also examined reward magnitude sensitivity in a separate group of rats. The magnitude group was tested on an impulsive choice task in which the SS delivered 1 pellet after 10 s, and the LL delivered either 1, 2, 3, or 4 pellets after 30 s across phases.…”

“…Specifically, gamblers discount probabilistic rewards less steeply than control subjects Madden et al, 2009; also see Weatherly & Derenne, 2012) and continue to make risky choices despite the experience of repeated losses (Linnet, Røjskjaer, Nygaard, & Maher, 2006). Accordingly, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms driving individual differences offers critical insight into questions such as why some individuals continue to gamble despite having experienced a series of consecutive losses (Rachlin, 1990).Recently, much of the work from our laboratory has been focused on the assessment of individual differences in impulsive and risky choice and the underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms in rats (Galtress, Garcia, & Kirkpatrick, 2012; Garcia & Kirkpatrick, 2013;Kirkpatrick, Marshall, Clarke, & Cain, 2013;Kirkpatrick, Marshall, Smith, Koci, & Park, 2014;Smith, Marshall, & Kirkpatrick, 2015), which will be the primary focus of this review. Here, we will discuss mechanisms of impulsive and risky choice and their relationship.…”

“…Recently, much of the work from our laboratory has been focused on the assessment of individual differences in impulsive and risky choice and the underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms in rats (Galtress, Garcia, & Kirkpatrick, 2012;Garcia & Kirkpatrick, 2013;Kirkpatrick, Marshall, Clarke, & Cain, 2013;Kirkpatrick, Marshall, Smith, Koci, & Park, 2014;Smith, Marshall, & Kirkpatrick, 2015), which will be the primary focus of this review. Here, we will discuss mechanisms of impulsive and risky choice and their relationship.…”

Parent Training Based on the Choice Theory: Analysis of its Impact on Mothers’ Sense of Self-efficacy and their Conflicts with their Daughters

“…William Glasser presented choice theory as the supporting theory through reality therapy approach in 1994. Choice theory emphasizes that all dissatisfied individuals have a mutual problem, that is, they cannot deal with whom they like to reach an understanding (10). This theory helps parents to treat their children well and it is a suitable substitution for external control psychology theory.…”

“…It is hard for an adolescent to easily pass this stage which Erickson calls identity vs. role confusion. Acceptance of these fact that there are differences between parents and children's requirements and also fulfillment of the parents' needs should not obstacle fulfillment of the child's need, will help the parents to choose reachable goals in parenting, increase the chance to reach them and feel higher selfefficacy (10).…”