The large majority of studies investigating the influence of temporal factors on intertemporal decision-making, such as view of time (Xu et al., 2019), and mortality awareness (Wang et al., 2019). Perceived time-based model emphasizes individual differences in time perception (Bi & Qi, 2022). Non-discount models of intertemporal decision-making underlines the importance of individual cognitive and psychological attributes such as level of explanation (Jiang & He, 2017), individual impulsivity and self-control (Barkley et al., 2001). As mentioned above, short-term interventions can change individual's temporal focus, whereas life history strategies are stable personal traits, how do they work together to influence individual's intertemporal decision-making? In summary, Study 2 examines the influence of temporal focus on intertemporal decision preferences under the framework of life history strategy. Based on the evidence mentioned above, we propose Hypothesis 2 that life history strategies and temporal focus have a combined effect in intertemporal decision preferences. Fast life history strategy, future time-focused individuals prefer smaller-sooner reward, whereas slow life history strategy, past time-focused individuals prefer larger-later reward. Summing up, the large majority of studies have focused on the separate role of temporal or individual factors on intertemporal decision-making. After a review of some critical papers on intertemporal decision-making, we argue for the necessity of addressing two major limitations currently in the delay discounting literature: (1) Is there a correlation between temporal-focus and intertemporal decision-making? and (2) How do life history strategies and temporal focus work together to influence intertemporal decision-making?
