Understanding Temporal Discounting in Motivation

Motivation plays a crucial role in shaping behavior and guiding actions. Consider a college student who is preparing for their final exams at the end of the semester. This student has goals of achieving high grades and securing a scholarship for their next academic year. However, they also find themselves distracted by social activities and leisure pastimes. In this scenario, which of the following concepts most directly explains the student's tendency to prioritize immediate pleasures over longer-term academic goals?