Date of Award
8-1-2016
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Behavior Analysis and Therapy
First Advisor
Dixon, Dr. Mark
Abstract
The present study used a delay discounting task and the Valued Living Questionnaire to examine the relationship between delay discounting and self-reported values. Thirty-eight participants completed the study. Participants were asked to make choices between immediate and delayed monetary rewards to determine rates of discounting. An exponential function (R2=0.97) provided a strong fit for discounting scores. On the Valued Living Questionnaire, participants rated on a Likert-type scale of 1-10 both the importance and their action in the previous week toward the following values: Family, marriage, parenting, friends, work, education, recreation, spirituality, community, and physical well-being. A composite valued living scored was calculated and compared to participant discounting rates; results suggest that there was a significant relationship between participant valued living scores and K-values (p<0.01) and participant valued living scores and AUC (p<0.02). The results of this study, while preliminary, are important for beginning to understand how values impact decision making.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.