Time perception and patience: individual differences in interval timing precision predict choice impulsivity in European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris

Abstract Impulsivity, in the sense of extent rewards are devalued as time until their realization increases, is linked to various negative outcomes humans, yet understanding cognitive mechanisms underlying it limited. Variation imprecision interval timing a possible contributor variation impulsivity. We use numerical model generate predictions concerning effect on distinguish between fixed (the that applies even when very shortest intervals) and proportional rate at which increases becomes longer). The predicts impulsivity should increase with increasing imprecision, but decrease imprecision. present data from cohort European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris , n = 28) had previously been measured through an intertemporal choice paradigm. tested same individuals using tri-peak temporal reproduction procedure. found repeatable individual differences both As predicted, birds greater made fewer impulsive choices, whilst those tended make more. Contradictory observations literature regarding direction association might be clarified by distinguishing components