Instant Gratification at Your Doorstep: The Neurobiology of the Midnight Delivery App
Adapted from a technology column by Dr. A. Vance, 'The Impulse Economy', Cognitive Neuroscience Quarterly, 14 November 2023.
"The late-night ping of a food delivery app offering a 15-minute 'flash discount' on your favorite dessert triggers an immediate internal conflict. For many, these highly appetizing visual notifications act as potent positive stimuli that prompt an immediate urge to order. Neuroscientific studies show that giving in to these appetitive cues results in a burst of activity in the brain's deep-seated reward pathways. While some consumers can easily dismiss the notification and stick to their dietary or financial goals, others find themselves helpless against the temptation, repeatedly ordering food they do not need."
Question
Describe Casey et al.'s (2011) study into delayed gratification and explain how the findings can be related to the article above.
