When both smaller–sooner (SS) and larger–later (LL) rewards are temporally distal, individuals frequently prefer the LL. However, because both outcomes become proximal, individuals frequently switch to preferring the SS. These preference reversals are predicted by hyperbolic delay discounting, and may model the essential challenge of self-control. Using smokers, a population known to have high rates of delay discounting, and thus more vulnerable to preference reversals, this pilot study sought to examine soft commitment as a strategy that may prevent preference reversals. Eleven smokers were assigned to an experimental commitment condition, operationalized as 3 weeks of daily commitment trials indicating preference between an SS and LL. Ten smokers were assigned to a control commitment condition. These 3 weeks were followed by 8 days of daily choice trials indicating preference between an impending SS and LL, for both experimental and control conditions. Though no overall difference of preference was observed between groups during the choice trials, hierarchical linear modeling revealed a decrease in preference for the LL over time by the control group (e.g., increasing trend of preference reversals) but no changes by the experimental group. This pilot study provides an initial indication that soft commitment can facilitate choice persistence and prevent preference reversals.

中文翻译：

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未承诺的承诺：防止偏好逆转的行为策略。


当较小的较早奖励（SS）和较大较晚奖励（LL）在时间上都较远时，个体通常更喜欢 LL。然而，由于这两种结果都变得接近，人们经常转而更喜欢 SS。这些偏好逆转是通过双曲线延迟贴现来预测的，并且可以模拟自我控制的基本挑战。这项试点研究以吸烟者为对象，该人群延迟贴现率较高，因此更容易受到偏好逆转的影响，旨在检验软承诺作为可能防止偏好逆转的策略。 11 名吸烟者被分配到实验性承诺条件，为期 3 周的每日承诺试验，表明在 SS 和 LL 之间的偏好。十名吸烟者被分配到控制承诺条件。这 3 周之后是 8 天的每日选择试验，表明对于实验和对照条件，在即将发生的 SS 和 LL 之间存在偏好。尽管在选择试验期间，各组之间没有观察到偏好的总体差异，但分层线性模型显示，随着时间的推移，对照组对 LL 的偏好有所下降（例如，偏好逆转的趋势增加），但实验组没有变化。这项试点研究初步表明，软承诺可以促进选择持久性并防止偏好逆转。