Loss Frequency Versus Long-Term Outcome in Preschoolers' Decision Making on a Child Variant of the Iowa Gambling Task

Abstract

The current study explored the effect of loss frequency and long-term expected outcome on decision making in 86 preschoolers. Children were randomly assigned to 2 versions of a child-friendly Iowa Gambling Task. In the high-conflict condition, the deck with the highest long-term outcome also had the highest frequency of loss, whereas the deck with the lowest long-term outcome had the lowest frequency of loss, setting up a conflict between preference for lower frequency of loss and preference for a higher long-term outcome. In the low-conflict condition, the highest long-term outcome deck had the lowest frequency of loss and the lowest long-term outcome deck had the highest frequency of loss. Results suggested age and sex differences in decision making. Specifically, the results suggested that preschoolers are able to make advantageous decisions when choices do not conflict in terms of loss frequency and long-term outcome. Finally, the results suggest that girls tend to focus more on loss frequency than boys when making choices. The findings have implications for assessment of decision making and hot executive functions in young children.

Key words:

• Iowa Gambling Task
• long-term outcome
• loss frequency
• preschoolers
• sex differences

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the day-care providers, parents, and children who participated in this research.