The Delayed Marshmallow

How long would you be able to hold off eating a marshamallow if you were promised two later instead? This idea was tested with children 40 years ago at Stanford University. The researchers found that children who were able to resist eating the marshmallow for longer also had more success later on in life. 

What is the connection between marshmallows and success? The key seems to be the brain mechanisms related to gratification delay - being able to hold off on impulses and "inhibit attentional and beahavioral responses." It means that children who were able to delay the gratification of the marshmallow for longer can also then stay focused on a particular task for longer and stop from acting out impulsively. This characteristic in turn can help the person stay on task and make better decisions. The brain imaging studies show there are significant difference in two areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum.

If you are one who has difficulty delaying marshmallow-stuffing, don't fret. There is evidence that such characteristics are influenced by our experiences, suggesting that we can learn and enhance our skills through practice. Ready to give it a try?

A link to the article: Delaying Gratification