Turning k on its head: comments on use of an ED50 in delay discounting research.

Full Abstract

Delay discounting (DD) describes how the value of a reinforcer decreases as delay to its delivery increases. Relationships between DD and various aspects of drug abuse have been demonstrated reliably. A potential barrier to wider adoption of DD techniques is that results are often expressed in terms that may be too abstract or unfamiliar to a broader audience, particularly when describing or comparing hyperbolic DD functions or values of k. In an effort to potentially make DD results more accessible, the current report explores use of an ED50 value in characterizing DD functions, similar to that used in pharmacology research for characterizing dose-effect functions. The ED50 proposed with regard to DD is the delay that is effective in discounting the subjective value of the delayed reinforcer by 50%. Additionally, a convenient method for calculating ED50 values for DD is discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Yoon, Jin H (JH); Higgins, Stephen T (ST);

Affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. jhyoon(-atsign-)uvm.edu

Grants: DA 007242 (Agency:United States NIDA) ; DA 08076 (Agency:United States NIDA) ; DA 09378 (Agency:United States NIDA)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 95 (issue 1-2) : pp 169-72

Dates: Created 2008/03/17; Completed 2008/08/11;

PMID: 18243583, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Behavior Therapy
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Humans
Impulsive Behavior - psychology; rehabilitation

Impulsive Behavior - psychology; rehabilitation
Motivation
Reinforcement Schedule
Research
Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; rehabilitation

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