In the 60s, there was a famous study done with immediate gratification as it's subject.
Basically, 4 year olds were given 1 marshmallow, and could choose to eat it then, or wait about 15 minutes and get a second one.
The results weren't astonishing. 15 years later the kids who could wait for the second one were happier, positive, and self motivating.
"They had the habits of successful people which resulted in more successful marriages, higher incomes, greater career satisfaction, better health, and more fulfilling lives than most of the population."
The kids who couldn't wait were more troubled, indecisive and less self confident.
My mom and I were talking about this subject related to our own children and came upon the following conclusions:
My brother would have conned everyone into paying him to eat their marshmallows, stealthily stolen the rest of the bag and sold it to unsuspecting kids at recess.
I would have eaten the marshmallow right away, and then argued, then charmed my way to getting a second one anyway.
My expectations for my family?
Cory would have waited until 14:59 seconds, eaten the first marshmallow, then found the loop hole in the reg that says he is still entitled to the second one.
Carter would have eaten the first one right away, then screamed, cried and begged until everyone's eye balls were about to bleed and they had to call a priest because they thought he needed an exorcism.
Clay would have eaten the first one right away, farted, and been happy and content about the whole situation.
What would you/yours do?
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2 comments:
I still want to try this with my own children, but I"m slightly worried to find out the results!! Is this something we can train them in or should we just do a cold test??!! I love Clay!!
Well let's see...Nilla would want to eat the marshmallow right away but it would take her the 15 minutes to calm down enough to eat it. Furosha would wait the 15 minutes to get both because she is fat and lazy. Bunnie would want to wait and get two but as soon as she smelled the first one she wouldn't be able to control herself so she would eat it right away. The ferrets would take the first one and hide it for later, then when my back was turned they would steal the whole bag and strategically hide marshmallows all over the house. With the turtles, it would depend on how far away the first one was, it may take them 15 minutes to reach it.
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