Future Reward Discounting

Future Reward Discounting is the tendency for people to value rewards or benefits less the farther they are in the future. For example, someone might prefer a smaller reward now over a larger one later because immediate gains feel more compelling. This concept helps explain behaviors like saving or exercising—people often prioritize immediate satisfaction rather than waiting for a bigger benefit later. It reflects how our brain perceives value over time, often causing us to favor short-term pleasures at the expense of long-term goals.