First developed by psychologist Walter Mischel, the now-famous "marshmallow test" found large differences in how long 4-year-olds could wait before consuming a treat—with self-control strongly linked to higher SAT scores and other positive outcomes later in life. (click below to read more)
Other studies have suggested an inborn ability to delay gratification, but a new paper points to a role for nurture as well. In the study, 28 3- to 5-year-olds were promised art supplies and stickers, only to have this promise broken. The other group of kids got the promised items. When put to a self-control challenge similar to the marshmallow test, the kids in the kept-promise group delayed consuming the treat four times as long as the children in the broken-promise group. The subjects' behavior suggested a rational approach based on the probability of reward, the researchers say.
"Rational Snacking: Young Children's Decision-Making on the Marshmallow Task Is Moderated by Beliefs About Environmental Reliability," Celeste Kidd, Holly Palmeri and Richard N. Aslin, (Cognition)
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