Wondering about delayed gratification, lets have an extended version.

[William Gaatjes]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_marshmallow_experiment

The experiment is well known. But it got me wondering about things.
Like every other person , i too have goals.
And like almost every other person i exert the power of delayed gratification to reach those goals.
Because i too want to live in the now and not endlessly waiting for the future.
But i too want to have a future.

But here is what got me wondering.

1 There is the experiment where the researcher tells the kid that it kan have a cookie now or it can have 2 cookies if it waits for a certain amount of time.
Let us introduce an extra variable that is there to test the determination of the child.

2 The researcher tells the kid that it can have a cookie now or that it might get 2 cookies if it waits for a certain amount of time. Now uncertainty is introduced and this makes me wonder, how would the child respond.
The obvious option that 2 cookies are given ensures a happy child.
The alternative option is that the child does not get 2 cookies but only the initial one. It will feel dissapointment but will have at least one cookie.

3 Now take the experiment one step further.
The researcher tells the kid that it can have a cookie now or that it might get 2 cookies or none at all if it waits.
Now more uncertainty is introduced. This got me thinking of gamblers.

4 One more experiment.
There is now no initial cookie. The researcher tells the kid that if it waits, it might get 3 cookies or it might not.
What will the child choose ? To wait or leave ?

This can be applied on daily life and have all so much effects.

How would you respond to all these options ?

 

[ImpulsE69]

Today's kid would just complain on twitter/facebook and just eat a tide pod instead.

 

[PricklyPete]

Today's kid would just complain on twitter/facebook and just eat a tide pod instead.

But if they were promised two tide pods if they waited...would they vblog about how much their life sucks?

 

[clamum]

If it was me as a kid I'd probably just take the one cookie, cause I'm not now and especially so as a kid wasn't into sweets much. I've grown more of a sweet tooth in my old age (35) but I'm still not big on cookies or cakes or brownies or things like that. My idea of a good tasting snack is cucumbers/tomatoes/carrots cut up with sour cream dip, or any fruit.

 

[deadlyapp]

You also introduce another variable, which is that of moderation, or potentially of storage. Does the child know that 1 cookie is enough? 2 cookies? 3 cookies? Or perhaps they plan - they can eat one cookie now and save another for later.

Personally, if I'm told I could receive one now, or maybe 2 later, or maybe none later, then I take the one and run. I have no need for two or three cookies, so there is no need for the delayed gratification.

Even replacing the cookie with something like money, when you introduce the risk of nothing at all, most everyone is going to leave. Although the stock market is similar in the fact that you may have nothing at all at the end, historical performance tells us otherwise.

 

[DietDrThunder]

You also introduce another variable, which is that of moderation, or potentially of storage. Does the child know that 1 cookie is enough? 2 cookies? 3 cookies? Or perhaps they plan - they can eat one cookie now and save another for later.

Personally, if I'm told I could receive one now, or maybe 2 later, or maybe none later, then I take the one and run. I have no need for two or three cookies, so there is no need for the delayed gratification.

Even replacing the cookie with something like money, when you introduce the risk of nothing at all, most everyone is going to leave. Although the stock market is similar in the fact that you may have nothing at all at the end, historical performance tells us otherwise.

That is what is missing from this experiment. The kid should be given some sort of historical outcome, then the kid can make a little more informed decision.

So experiment #5 should be "There is an initial cookie. The researcher tells the kid that if he/she waits, the kid might get 3 cookies or might get none, but the most likely outcome would be that the kid might get two cookies."

 

[Mai72]

The Marshmallow Experiment.

I'm familiar with the test. It was conducted in the 1950s. The children were followed for decades to see what would happen to the kids who ate the cookie immediately, and the kids who were able to delay gratification. The researchers found that the kids who ate their cookie immediately had less success than the kids who waited. The kids who ate the cookie had less success at their jobs, had a higher BMI, and less fulfilling relationships. They made less money and in turn had less savings and less investments. It all makes sense because being unable to delay gratification could mean less that stellar habits. Much more likely to spend than save and invest. Less likely to eat well and exercise. And, less likely to have a meaningful relationship and career.

The thing is to reach success you have to delay gratification. You want to get into shape? That means no junk food. Maybe 1 ice cream a week. Healthy daily food choices, and exercising daily is a must to reach your goal. That's why it's important to enjoy the process. It's why most people aren't able to achieve their health goals. Junk food is EVERYWHERE. it can be very difficult to delay gratification when you're tired, cranky and unmotivated. You can apply this to everything. Career, relationships, financial, health, etc. Being able to delay gratification and to follow the plan that you have laid out is so difficult

Which brings me to habit and willpower. We only have so much willpower in the day. It starts out strong and wanes by nighttime. Check out Charles Duhig and his book "The Power of Habit." Motivation, willpower, delaying gratification and habit are all tied together.

 

[_Rick_]

Ah, but for me, the real question would be, whether we even trust the guy to cough up the promised cookie. I'd rather take the cookie in the hand, then hope that someone would give me a second one, for no reason at all.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I sometimes sorta play that game with myself. I have the munchies, but tell myself "I need to finish this task first, then I'll go get my munchies". I find it can help me actually get it done. I guess it's not quite the same, but similar. Basically instead of getting instant gratification I delay it and force myself to do something to "earn" it.