Self-other differences in intertemporal decision making: An eye-tracking investigation

This study investigated how intertemporal choices made for others differed from those made for oneself, and how attention directed to specific attributes of the choice problem contributed to such differences. Moderating effects of components of trait empathy, chronic construal-level, and personal sense of power were examined. Thirty-five participants performed a money choice task where they made choices for themselves and on behalf of an acquaintance, during which their eye movements were tracked. Results showed that lower scores on the fantasy component of empathy predicted decreased delay discounting while making decisions for others, while higher empathic concern favoured less impulsive choices for both self and others. Higher sense of power favoured less impulsive choices for both self and others. While making decisions for others, higher power biased more attention towards the reward attribute of the choice, which in turn predicted less delay discounting. Results are discussed from a construal-level perspective.