West LA Times

UCLA psychologists have found that the way choices are presented can significantly impact decision-making processes. According to a recent study published in Nature Communications, the order in which information is provided to individuals can influence whether they opt for immediate gratification or exercise patience for larger rewards in the future.

Lead author of the study, Ian Krajbich, highlighted the importance of framing choices by stating, "The takeaway message is that people can be impatient or exhibit a lack of self-control for many reasons." The research conducted by Krajbich and his colleagues at Zhejiang University and Hangzhou Normal University involved 353 college student volunteers who were tasked with making decisions between receiving smaller amounts of money sooner or larger amounts after a delay.

The study revealed that individuals tended to make more impulsive decisions when presented with time delays first, but were more inclined to choose the patient option when the greater reward associated with waiting longer was emphasized initially. Krajbich explained, "If you’re somebody who focuses on the rewards first, time pressure accentuates that and makes you more patient."

Interestingly, the researchers observed that time constraints also played a role in decision-making. When participants had only two seconds to choose, they were more likely to opt for the larger, delayed reward. Krajbich noted, "Surprisingly, when given the least time to think about it, they made the most patient decisions."

By altering the sequence in which information was presented, the researchers were able to manipulate participants' decision biases. Krajbich emphasized the potential applications of these findings in promoting long-term beneficial choices such as healthier lifestyle habits and financial planning. He stated, "You want to emphasize those future large rewards and try to deemphasize how long it’s going to take."

In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of considering how information is structured when encouraging individuals to make decisions that will benefit them in the long run. By highlighting the future rewards and downplaying the time factor, people may be more inclined to make patient choices that lead to greater outcomes.