U. S. researchers have concluded that given a choice, between a quick payoff and a longer-term benefit, people with complete information pick the instant reward.

The findings better explain the decisions people make financially, physically and emotionally, said Bradley Love, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and graduate student Ross Otto.

78 subjects had been given two options by the researchers through a computer program that allowed them to accumulate points. For each choice, one option offered the subject more points. But choosing the other option could lead to more points further along in the experiment.

The researcher found that, some were given this information while some weren't and were given misinformation.

It was further found by the study that those given full and accurate information about the short-term loss versus the long-term benefit chose the quick payoff more than twice as often as those who were given false information or no information about the long-term rewards lost.

Love said in a statement, "Basically, people have to stay away from thinking about the short-term pains and gains or they are sunk and, objectively, will end up worse off." (With Inputs from Agencies)