Date of Award:

8-2026

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Gregory J. Madden

Committee

Gregory J. Madden

Committee

Timothy Shahan

Committee

Katherine Brown

Committee

Chris Franck

Committee

Casey Clay

Abstract

Impulsive choice, the preference for a smaller-sooner reward (SSR) over a larger-later reward (LLR), is associated with various challenging behaviors (e.g., gambling and substance-used disorders). Many interventions can reduce impulsive choice but those that produce long-lasting effects typically require long training durations or are difficult to implement in applied settings. This dissertation evaluated a novel Pavlovian training approach designed to promote self-control. In Experiment 1, procedures from Mahmoudi and Madden (2024) were replicated in the laboratory with the addition of a truly random control group. The study also assessed whether presenting the conditioned stimulus (CS) before a choice would increase preference for the LLR compared to when the CS is presented both before choice and during the delay to the LLR. Experiment 2 adapted the Pavlovian training program in two kindergarten classrooms and later used the CS to assess if children would wait for a novel toy. Evidence for Pavlovian conditioned was limited in the first classroom but showed promising results in the second, following procedural modification. Although not consistent across all participants, presenting them during the delay reduced the frequency of challenging behavior.

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