Hyperbolic Discounting

Definition

Hyperbolic discounting is a behavioral economic concept that describes the tendency of people to place a higher value on immediate payoffs rather than larger but delayed rewards. It is a departure from the standard economic assumption of exponential discounting, where the value of a future reward decreases at a constant rate over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hyperbolic discounting leads to a preference for smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards, even when the delayed reward has a higher overall value.
2. This phenomenon is observed in a wide range of decision-making contexts, including consumer choices, financial planning, and health-related behaviors.
3. Hyperbolic discounting can lead to suboptimal decision-making, as individuals may make choices that maximize short-term gratification but result in long-term costs or regret.
4. Researchers have found that the degree of hyperbolic discounting varies across individuals and can be influenced by factors such as age, cognitive ability, and environmental cues.
5. Strategies to mitigate the effects of hyperbolic discounting, such as commitment devices and nudges, have been explored in the field of behavioral economics.

Review Questions

• Explain how hyperbolic discounting differs from the standard economic model of exponential discounting.
  • Hyperbolic discounting is a departure from the standard economic assumption of exponential discounting, where the value of a future reward decreases at a constant rate over time. In contrast, hyperbolic discounting describes the tendency of people to place a higher value on immediate payoffs rather than larger but delayed rewards, resulting in a non-constant rate of discounting. This leads to time-inconsistent preferences and a preference for smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards, even when the delayed reward has a higher overall value.
• Discuss the implications of hyperbolic discounting on individual decision-making and behavior.
  • Hyperbolic discounting can lead to suboptimal decision-making, as individuals may make choices that maximize short-term gratification but result in long-term costs or regret. This phenomenon is observed in a wide range of decision-making contexts, including consumer choices, financial planning, and health-related behaviors. For example, a person may choose to buy an immediate, smaller reward like a snack rather than saving up for a larger, delayed reward like a vacation, even though the vacation would provide more overall value. Researchers have found that the degree of hyperbolic discounting varies across individuals and can be influenced by factors such as age, cognitive ability, and environmental cues.
• Evaluate strategies that have been explored to mitigate the effects of hyperbolic discounting in the field of behavioral economics.
  • Researchers in the field of behavioral economics have explored various strategies to help individuals overcome the effects of hyperbolic discounting and make more optimal long-term decisions. One approach is the use of commitment devices, which are self-imposed constraints that limit an individual's ability to act on their immediate impulses. For example, a person may choose to automatically transfer a portion of their paycheck into a retirement account, making it harder to access that money for short-term gratification. Another strategy is the use of nudges, which are subtle changes to the choice architecture that can influence behavior without restricting options. This could include framing choices in a way that highlights the long-term benefits or making the default option the more beneficial long-term choice. By understanding the underlying drivers of hyperbolic discounting and implementing these types of interventions, behavioral economists aim to help individuals make more informed and welfare-enhancing decisions.

Related terms

Time Inconsistency: The tendency for people's preferences to change over time, leading to inconsistent decision-making. Hyperbolic discounting is a key driver of time inconsistency.

Impulsivity: The tendency to act on immediate urges and desires without considering the long-term consequences, which is closely linked to hyperbolic discounting.

Exponential Discounting:

The standard economic model of discounting, where the value of a future reward decreases at a constant rate over time, in contrast to the non-constant rate of hyperbolic discounting.