The Influence of Episodic Future Thinking and Graphic Warning Labels on Delay Discounting and Cigarette Demand.

Gideon P Naudé,Sean B Dolan,Matthew W Johnson,David J Cox,Justin C Strickland,Meredith S Berry

doi:10.3390/ijerph182312637

Abstract

Delay discounting and operant demand are two behavioral economic constructs that tend to covary, by degree, with cigarette smoking status. Given historically robust associations between adverse health outcomes of smoking, a strong preference for immediate reinforcement (measured with delay discounting), and excessive motivation to smoke cigarettes (measured with operant demand), researchers have made numerous attempts to attenuate the extent to which behaviors corresponding to these constructs acutely appear in smokers. One approach is episodic future thinking, which can reportedly increase the impact of future events on present decision making as well as reduce the reinforcing value of cigarettes. Graphic cigarette pack warning labels may also reduce smoking by increased future orientation. Experiment 1 evaluated the combined effects of episodic future thinking and graphic warning labels on delay discounting; Experiment 2 evaluated solely the effects of episodic future thinking on delay discounting and operant demand. We observed no statistically significant effects of episodic future thinking when combined with graphic warning labels or when assessed on its own. These results serve as a call for further research on the boundary conditions of experimental techniques reported to alter behaviors associated with cigarette smoking.

Highlights

An account of substance use rooted in behavioral economic theory, known as the reinforcer pathologies model [1,2], theorizes that cigarette smoking and other drug taking behaviors occur within a microeconomic framework where (1) preference for immediate reinforcement despite suboptimal long-term outcomes and (2) excessively high motivation to consume cigarettes interact, manifesting as an extended pattern of chronically unhealthy behavior [3,4]
In Experiment 1, we examined the combined roles of Episodic future thinking (EFT) and graphic warning labels (GWLs) on monetary delay discounting, and in Experiment 2, we sought to examine the distinct role of EFT on delay discounting and demand for cigarettes
Neither individual nor combined EFT and GWL manipulations were associated with significant differences in monetary delay discounting

Summary

Introduction

Factors contributing to harmful choices have been extensively studied using behavioral economics, a discipline that integrates principles of psychology and microeconomics.An account of substance use rooted in behavioral economic theory, known as the reinforcer pathologies model [1,2], theorizes that cigarette smoking and other drug taking behaviors occur within a microeconomic framework where (1) preference for immediate reinforcement despite suboptimal long-term outcomes and (2) excessively high motivation to consume cigarettes (and/or other substances) interact, manifesting as an extended pattern of chronically unhealthy behavior [3,4].The first of these mechanisms, delay discounting, is perhaps the most widely researched behavioral economic construct and refers to the subjective devaluation of an outcome as a function of delay to occurrence.There is extensive evidence linking greater delay discounting to those with substance use disorders, with ties to cigarette smoking among the most robust [5,6]. An account of substance use rooted in behavioral economic theory, known as the reinforcer pathologies model [1,2], theorizes that cigarette smoking and other drug taking behaviors occur within a microeconomic framework where (1) preference for immediate reinforcement despite suboptimal long-term outcomes and (2) excessively high motivation to consume cigarettes (and/or other substances) interact, manifesting as an extended pattern of chronically unhealthy behavior [3,4]. The first of these mechanisms, delay discounting, is perhaps the most widely researched behavioral economic construct and refers to the subjective devaluation of an outcome as a function of delay to occurrence. Cigarette smokers may desire better physical health and personal appearance while continuing to choose the immediate rewards produced by smoking

Methods

Results

Conclusion