Future Time Reference and Time Preferences on the Individual Level

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between future time reference (FTR) and time preferences, exploring a mechanism of the linguistic-savings hypothesis. Using Spanish ’teenagers’ data, we analyze whether natural FTR usage correlates with individual discount factors across three temporal horizons. While no significant association appears for near or middle-distant future, participants using present-tense constructions for the distant future exhibit lower discount factors. This challenges the hypothesized link between weak FTR and reduced time discounting.