The globalizability of temporal discounting

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

Boosting and nudging intertemporal choice for gains and losses

People reason differently about potential gains and losses. Learning rates differ for rewards and punishments, risk preferences are independent between gains and losses, and recent research on risky decision-making suggests that the effectiveness of behavioural interventions might differ between the gain and loss domain. The current study seeks to extend these findings to temporal discounting. First, by attempting to replicate whether baseline discounting is independent for gains and losses within participants. Next, by evaluating whether the effect of interventions designed to alter discounting is moderated by the domain of choice. Our results are relevant for understanding the decision-mechanisms associated with gains and losses, and for linking findings from risky decision-making to intertemporal choice. They also have practical policy implications for financial decisions influenced by temporal discounting, such as student loans, credit card debts, and pension schemes

The globalizability of temporal discounting

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns.Fil: Ruggeri, Kai. Columbia University; Estados Unidos. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Panin, Amma. Université Catholique de Louvain; BélgicaFil: Vdovic, Milica. Faculty Of Media And Communications; SerbiaFil: Većkalov, Bojana. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Abdul Salaam, Nazeer. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Achterberg, Jascha. Mrc Cognition And Brain Sciences Unit; Reino Unido. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Akil, Carla. American University Of Beirut; LíbanoFil: Amatya, Jolly. UN Major Group for Children and Youth; NepalFil: Amatya, Kanchan. Organización de las Naciones Unidas. Unicef. Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Andersen, Thomas Lind. Ppr Svendborg; DinamarcaFil: Aquino, Sibele D.. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. Laboratory of Research in Social Psychology; BrasilFil: Arunasalam, Arjoon. The Queens University of Belfast; IrlandaFil: Ashcroft Jones, Sarah. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Askelund, Adrian Dahl. University of Oslo; Noruega. Nic Waals Institute; NoruegaFil: Ayacaxli, Nélida. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Sheshdeh, Aseman Bagheri. St. Lawrence University; Estados UnidosFil: Bailey, Alexander. The Queens University of Belfast; IrlandaFil: Barea Arroyo, Paula. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Mejía, Genaro Basulto. Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económica; MéxicoFil: Benvenuti, Martina. Universidad de Bologna; ItaliaFil: Berge, Mari Louise. Unaffiliated; HungríaFil: Bermaganbet, Aliya. Workforce Development Center; KazajistánFil: Bibilouri, Katherine. Sciencespo Paris; Francia. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Bjørndal, Ludvig Daae. University of Oslo; NoruegaFil: Black, Sabrina. University of St. Andrews; Reino UnidoFil: Lyshol, Johanna K. Blomster. Oslo New University College; NoruegaFil: Brik, Tymofii. Kyiv School Of Economics; UcraniaFil: Buabang, Eike Kofi. Katholikie Universiteit Leuven; BélgicaFil: Burghart, Matthias. University Of Konstanz (university Of Konstanz);Fil: Navajas Ahumada, Joaquin Mariano. Universidad Torcuato Di Tella; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The general fault in our fault lines

Pervading global narratives suggest that political polarization is increasing, yet the accuracy of such group meta-perceptions has been drawn into question. A recent US study suggests that these beliefs are inaccurate and drive polarized beliefs about out-groups. However, it also found that informing people of inaccuracies reduces those negative beliefs. In this work, we explore whether these results generalize to other countries. To achieve this, we replicate two of the original experiments with 10,207 participants across 26 countries. We focus on local group divisions, which we refer to as fault lines. We find broad generalizability for both inaccurate meta-perceptions and reduced negative motive attribution through a simple disclosure intervention. We conclude that inaccurate and negative group meta-perceptions are exhibited in myriad contexts and that informing individuals of their misperceptions can yield positive benefits for intergroup relations. Such generalizability highlights a robust phenomenon with implications for political discourse worldwide

The general fault in our fault lines

A pervading global narrative suggests that political polarisation is increasing in the US and around the world. Beliefs in increased polarisation impact individual and group behaviours regardless of whether they are accurate or not. One driver of polarisation are beliefs about how members of the out-group perceive us, known as group meta-perceptions. A 2020 study by Lees and Cikara in US samples suggests that not only are out-group meta-perceptions highly inaccurate, but informing people of this inaccuracy reduces negative beliefs about the out-group. Given the importance of these findings for understanding and mitigating polarisation, it is essential to test to what extent they generalise to other countries. We assess that generalisability by replicating two of the original experiments in 10,207 participants from 26 countries in the first experiment and 10 in the second. We do this by studying local group divisions, which we refer to as fault lines. In line with our hypotheses, results show that the pattern found in the US broadly generalises, with greater heterogeneity explained by specific policies rather than between-country differences. The replication of a simple disclosure intervention in the second experiment yielded a modest reduction in negative motive attributions to the out-group, similar to the original study. These findings indicate first that inaccurate and negative group meta-perceptions are exhibited in a large number of countries, not only the US, and that informing individuals of their misperceptions can yield positive benefits for intergroup relations. The generalisability of these findings highlights a robust phenomenon with major implications for political discourse worldwide

The general fault in our fault lines

Ruggeri et al. tested perceptions of opposing political party members in 10,207 participants from 26 countries. Results show that beliefs about others are overly negative but could be more realistic with transparency about actual group beliefs. Pervading global narratives suggest that political polarization is increasing, yet the accuracy of such group meta-perceptions has been drawn into question. A recent US study suggests that these beliefs are inaccurate and drive polarized beliefs about out-groups. However, it also found that informing people of inaccuracies reduces those negative beliefs. In this work, we explore whether these results generalize to other countries. To achieve this, we replicate two of the original experiments with 10,207 participants across 26 countries. We focus on local group divisions, which we refer to as fault lines. We find broad generalizability for both inaccurate meta-perceptions and reduced negative motive attribution through a simple disclosure intervention. We conclude that inaccurate and negative group meta-perceptions are exhibited in myriad contexts and that informing individuals of their misperceptions can yield positive benefits for intergroup relations. Such generalizability highlights a robust phenomenon with implications for political discourse worldwide

The globalizability of temporal discounting

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

The globalizability of temporal discounting

International audienceAbstract Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries ( N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

The globalizability of temporal discounting.

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns