Preference of dimension-based difference in intertemporal choice: Eye-tracking evidence

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2023.00612

Abstract

Abstract:

In the field of intertemporal choice, considerable empirical evidence from behavioral and process data supports the use of dimension-based models. The existing dimension-based models provide qualitative explanations for an individual’s intertemporal choice and focus on “which dimension is the greater difference dimension”, but ignore the preference of dimension-based difference (i.e., “how much different of the difference between the two dimensions”). In the present study, we used eye-tracking technology to examine the relationship between the preference of dimension-based difference and the information searching process. The results in the two experiments consistently revealed that response time, gaze transition entropy (a measure of visual scanning efficiency), and stationary gaze entropy (a measure of the level of even distribution across different areas of interest) could negatively predict the preference of dimension-based difference. Our findings highlighted the correlation between the preference of dimension-based difference and the information searching process, providing further process evidence for dimension-based intertemporal models.

Key words: intertemporal choice, dimension-based intertemporal models, preference of dimension-based difference, eye-tracking technique

LIU Hong-Zhi, YANG Xing-Lan, LI Qiu-Yue, WEI Zi-Han. (2023). Preference of dimension-based difference in intertemporal choice: Eye-tracking evidence. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 55(4), 612-625.

Figures/Tables 6

Figure 1. The procedure of Experiment 1.

Figure 2. (a) Predictive effects of VAS scores on intertemporal choices, (b) the relationship between DDJ scores can VAS scores, and (c) the relationship between PDD scores and VAS strength in Experiment 1. Error lines represent 95% CI.

Figure 3. Relationship between (a) choice RT and PDD scores, (b) VAS RT and PDD scores, (c) gaze transition entropy and PDD scores, (d) stationary gaze entropy and PDD scores, and (e) OGP and DDJ scores in Experiment 1. The red lines represent the fitted line, and the error lines represent 95% CI.

Figure 4. (a) Predictive effects of VAS score on intertemporal choices, (b) the relationship between DDJ score can VAS score, and (c) the relationship between PDD score and VAS strength in Experiment 2. Error lines represent 95% CI.

Figure 5. Predictive effects of (a) VAS strength and (b) PDD scores on choice reversal in Experiment 2. Error lines represent 95% CI.

Figure 6. Relationship between (a) choice RT and PDD scores, (b) VAS RT and PDD scores, (c) gaze transition entropy and PDD scores, (d) stationary gaze entropy and PDD scores, and (e) OGP and DDJ scores in Experiment 2. The red lines represent the fitted line, and the error lines represent 95% CI.

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