Individual Differences in Delay Discounting: Relation to Intelligence, Working Memory, and Anterior Prefrontal Cortex
Abstract
Lower delay discounting (better self-control) is linked to higher intelligence, but the basis of this relation is uncertain. To investigate the potential role of working memory (WM) processes, we assessed delay discounting, intelligence ( g), WM (span tasks, 3-back task), and WM-related neural activity (using functional magnetic resonance imaging) in 103 healthy adults. Delay discounting was negatively correlated with g and WM. WM explained no variance in delay discounting beyond that explained by g, which suggests that processes through which WM relates to delay discounting are shared by g. WM-related neural activity in left anterior prefrontal cortex (Brodmann's area 10) covaried with g, r = .26, and delay discounting, r = -.40, and partially mediated the relation between g and delay discounting. Overall, the results suggest that delay discounting is associated with intelligence in part because of processes instantiated in anterior prefrontal cortex, a region known to support the integration of diverse information.
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Research has demonstrated significant correlations between measures of working memory and delay discounting.
“Research has demonstrated significant correlations between measures of WM and DD (Bobova et al., 2009; Shamosh et al., 2008).”
From Behavioral trainings and manipulations to reduce delay discounting: A systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as Shamosh et al., 2008
Poor working memory is associated with higher rates of delay discounting.
“For example, because poor working memory is associated with higher rates of delay discounting (Shamosh et al., 2008)”
From Excessive discounting of delayed reinforcers as a trans-disease process contributing to addiction and other disease-related vulnerabilities: Emerging evidence (2012) · cites this paper as Shamosh et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Shamosh, N. A., DeYoung, C. G., Green, A. E., Reis, D. L., Johnson, M. R., Conway, A. R. A., Engle, R. W., Braver, T. S., & Gray, J. R.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Princeton University (US)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gray, Jeremy R.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 904-911
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2163840979
- Cited by
- 452
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 34.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Keywords
- delay discounting, self-control, intelligence, general intelligence, working memory, anterior prefrontal cortex, Brodmann area 10, mediation, individual differences
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Brain Mapping, Culture, Dominance, Cerebral, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Individuality, Intelligence, Intelligence Tests, Internal-External Control, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Motivation, Prefrontal Cortex, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Young Adult
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