What is delay of gratification?

Delay of Gratification is the ability to resist an immediate reward (like a marshmallow, a cookie, or money) for a larger reward later (tomorrow or next month).

Psychologists test children's ability to delay gratification by giving them the choice to eat 1 marshmallow right away or to wait for the adult to return to have two marshmallows. The adult leaves the child alone in a room with one marshmallow and returns 15 minutes later. If the child waited, they get the 2nd marshmallow!

The video below shows you what this test looks like!

Questions to Consider

How long do you think you could wait for something that you really, really wanted?

What do you think are some strategies that you would use to keep yourself from taking the reward or prize right away?

If you choose this topic, you will...

Learn more about the types of behaviors that help children delay gratification.

Learn more about how a child's ability to delay of gratification changes as they get older.

Consider ways to test delay of gratification in kids your age (or even adults!)

resources: learn more about this topic

APA: New findings for delay of gratification

Walter Mischel: The scientist behind the task

Cookie Monster and Delaying Gratification