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Two experiments used the discounting paradigm to investigate the effect of age on how individuals value technology and technology-related learning. Previous literature has shown that older adults display a lower monetary discount rate than younger adults. It was hypothesized that this trend would be reversed in the current study due to older adults' increased costs associated with technology-related learning as well as lower perceptions of value for technology related rewards when compared to younger adults. Both experiments used technology-related measures based on the format of the Monetary Choice Questionnaire to determine individual discount rate. In Experiment 1, 37 older (mean age = 72.9) and 39 younger (mean age = 18.8) adults completed the MCQ and two devised technology-related measures. Previous findings for age and monetary discount rate were replicated but there was no significant difference in discount rate between age groups for the devised technology-related measures. In Experiment 2, 40 older (mean age = 74.9) and 40 younger (mean age = 20.2) adults completed six devised discounting measures. Older adults displayed a significantly higher discount rate for four out of six discounting measures, including three out of four technology-related measures. Implications for older adults and technology adoption are discussed.
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
Neil Charness, Professor Directing Thesis; Walter R. Boot, Committee Member; Joyce Ehrlinger, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
FSU_migr_etd-7097
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