Deciding with (or without) the future in mind: Individual differences in decision-making

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of propensity to risk taking, impulsivity, and present versus future orientation in decision-making under ambiguity. One hundred and four healthy adults were administered the computer versions of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). They then completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC-14). Results indicated that high scores on the BIS-11 Non-Planning impulsivity scale, the CFC-14 Immediate scale, and the BART result in poorer performance on the IGT. In addition, the results of regression analysis showed also that the BART total score was the most powerful predictor of performance on the IGT. The study revealed that individuals who are more prone to risk, less likely to plan ahead carefully, and more oriented to the present, rather than to the future, performed worse on the IGT. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.