largerlater

Largerlater is a term used in discussions of intertemporal choice in psychology and behavioral economics to describe the option of receiving a larger reward at a later date, as opposed to a smaller reward immediately. The concept illustrates how individuals weigh present versus future benefits and is closely related to delay of gratification and time preference.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from larger and later, reflecting the choice between a bigger payoff that occurs later and a smaller payoff now. In scholarly writing, the term is sometimes written with a hyphen or as two words; usage varies across sources.

Context and applications: In experiments on self-control, participants often face a larger-later choice, and researchers study how preferences shift under cognitive load, stress, or incentives. The concept also informs analyses of consumer behavior, health decisions, and financial planning where long-term gains are weighed against short-term costs.

Relation to models: Largerlater aligns with theories of intertemporal choice and discounting, including hyperbolic and exponential discounting. It helps describe phenomena like procrastination, savings behavior, and adherence to long-term goals.

Limitations: The term is informal and not a formal theory; definitions differ across sources. Some writers treat it as a descriptive label for a generic larger-later option rather than a distinct construct.

See also: delay of gratification, intertemporal choice, time preference, delay discounting.