The outcomes of intertemporal choices indicate that people discount rewards by their delay. These outcomes are well described by discounting functions. However, to fully understand the decision process one needs models describing how the process of decision-making unfolds dynamically over time. Here, we validate a recently published attractor model that extends discounting functions through a description of the dynamics leading to a final choice outcome within and across trials. We focus on the decision dynamics across trials. We derive qualitative predictions for the inter-trial dynamics of sequences of decisions that are unique to this type of model. We test these predictions in a delay discounting game where we sequentially manipulated subjective values of options across all attribute dimensions. Results confirm the model’s predictions. We discuss future challenges on integrating attractor models towards a general attractor model of delay discounting to enhance our understanding of the processes underlying delay discounting decisions.

Mouse cursor tracking has become a prominent method for characterizing cognitive processes, used in a wide variety of domains of psychological science. Researchers have demonstrated considerable ingenuity in the application of the approach, but the methodology has not undergone systematic analysis to facilitate the development of best practices. Furthermore, recent research has demonstrated effects of experimental design features on a number of mousetracking outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of the mouse-tracking literature to survey the reporting and spread of mouse variables (Cursor speed, Sampling rate, Training), physical characteristics of the experiments (Stimulus position, Response box position) and response requirements (Start procedure, Response procedure, Response deadline). This survey reveals that there is room for improvement in reporting practices, especially of subtler design features that researchers may have assumed would not impact research results (e.g., Cursor speed). We provide recommendations for future best practices in mouse-tracking studies and consider how best to standardize the mouse-tracking literature without excessively constraining the methodological flexibility that is essential to the field.