Delayed gratification

Delayed gratification, or deferred gratification, is the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward. Generally, delayed gratification is associated with resisting a smaller but more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward later.

Overview

The concept of delayed gratification is widely studied in the field of psychology. A well-known experiment related to this concept is the Stanford marshmallow experiment, where children were given the choice between one small reward provided immediately or two small rewards if they waited for a short period. The results of the experiment showed that children who were able to wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes.

Delayed gratification is considered a protective factor against a variety of psychological problems, including addiction, overeating, and gambling addiction. It is also associated with a number of positive outcomes, such as academic success, physical health, psychological health, and social competence.

Factors Influencing Delayed Gratification

Several factors can influence an individual's ability to delay gratification. These include age, cognitive capacity, and social and cultural influences. For example, older children and adults are typically better at delaying gratification than younger children. Similarly, individuals with higher cognitive abilities are more likely to be able to delay gratification.

Implications

Understanding the concept of delayed gratification and the factors that influence it can have important implications for a variety of fields, including education, psychology, and public health. For example, interventions designed to improve children's ability to delay gratification could potentially improve their academic performance and health outcomes.

See Also

• Self-control
• Impulse control
• Time preference
• Instant gratification

References

Delayed gratification Resources
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