Date of Award:
5-2005
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
Steve Lehman
Committee
Steve Lehman
Committee
Dr. Odum
Committee
Dr. Heath
Abstract
During decision-making, an individual must weigh the value of the outcomes involved while also considering the amount of time until the outcomes will occur. Discounting occurs when a smaller, immediately available reward is chosen over a larger, more delayed reward. Discounting rates are likely related to working memory capacity, because working memory stores and processes the value of the outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between working memory, temporal discounting, and the decision to engage in physical activity.
The results showed that working memory capacity was related to the physical activity rates. Discounting rates from a money task and a health task were not related to activity rates. However, in the subsample of individuals who reported that their primary motive to exercise was health, working memory and discounting rates from the money task were both statistically significant predictors of physical activity.
Checksum
29ecf8bf350dd4c0eef2c3ddb494872e
Recommended Citation
Lambourne, Kathleen, "Working Memory Capacity, Temporal Discounting, and Exercise Rates" (2005). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 6223.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6223
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