Temporal construal and time-dependent changes in preference.

TLDR

Five studies examined temporal construal and time‑discounting theories by manipulating high‑level (abstract) and low‑level (concrete) construal features, valence, and valence type for near‑ and distant‑future options. The results show that high‑level construal features exert a greater influence on distant‑future preferences than on near‑future preferences, supporting temporal construal theory.

Abstract

Five studies tested the predictions of temporal construal theory and time-discounting theories regarding evaluation of near future and distant future options (outcomes, activities, products). The options had abstract or goal-relevant features (called high-level construal features) as well as more concrete or goal-irrelevant features (called low-level construal features). The studies varied the valence (positive vs. negative) and the type of valence (affective vs. cognitive) of the low-level and high-level construal features. The results show that the weight of high-level construal features, compared with the weight of low-level construal features, is greater in determining distant future preferences than near future preferences. The implications of the results for extant theories of time-dependent changes in preference are discussed.