Normative information can induce biased choice toward delayed larger rewards in adulthood

Abstract

AbstractPrevious research has revealed that observing or learning about others' choices can change individuals' choice of delayed rewards. To extend these findings, the present research investigated whether normative information can change the choice for delayed rewards in adulthood. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of 27 intertemporal conflicts after they had read a description about normative information of others' delayed‐reward choices. In Study 1, the results revealed that choosing bias toward delayed larger rewards was higher in those who read the description where the majority chose delayed larger rewards than those who read the opposite description. In Study 2, we successfully replicated the main results of Study 1. Furthermore, the results of Study 2 showed that the effect of social norms decreased in 1 week. The present research provides important insights into how self‐control is influenced by social norms.