Imagine you’re four. Imagine you were given a marshmallow and told, “wait for 20mins before eating this. I’ll give you another one if you wait ok?”
Would you eat it, or would you wait? remember you’re only four.
Now watch this marshmallow test.
The test was conducted by Stanford psychology professor Walter Mischel 40 years back. It was used to test kids on the concept of ‘deferred gratification’. Studies show that four-year-old kids who could postpone eating a marshmallow grew up to be outstanding kids with scored higher in SATs and had higher levels of confidence, concentration and reliability.
I think I would have waited. I used to keep half eaten ice lollies in the fridge because I wanted to extend its life span. I enjoyed knowing that it was there for me if I wanted it. I also saved my last mini hamburger biscuit because I couldn’t bear the thought of finishing the pack, so I saved the last one to be savoured when I could resist no more (I got really upset at my cousin who ate it, that pig).
Now I’m all grown up, way beyond the age of 18 with a good level of confidence, concentration and reliability. However my ability to wait and be patient has dwindled with age, and the concept of deferred gratification is now somewhat warped. Sorry I’m not explaining this any further.
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