“Too wait, or not too wait; that is the question?”
4a) Walter Mischell conducted a “Marshmallow Test” in the late 1960’s with the goal of identifying the mental process that allowed some people to delay gratification, and why some simply surrender. Mischell would offer one child a marshmallow and they had the choice to either eat one now, or if they were willing to wait until he came back, they could have two. Would you be able to delay the gratification of a scrumptious marshmallow sitting right in front of you as a child? When every second that passes, feels like hours, and its secretly calling you name? Or would you be able to silence your mind and wait for the reward of two marshmallows?
It may seem silly to young adults, as to why they couldn't they just patiently wait for the researcher to return and be able to receive the reward of two. “Patience” is the key word. It’s been known that us Americans “hate to wait”. Do you think that’s true? I know I have zero patience. I hate waiting for people, it drives me crazy! The only time I do have patience is when I know there will be a reward in the end, if I choose to wait.
Some people would rather wait for delayed gratification and claim that it will all be worth it in the end, but I know I value instant gratification. For me, instant gratification is a reminder that what I am doing is right and it gives me more confidence. We can relate delayed gratification to when we are driving and there is an accident or traffic. Do you have the patience to sit their patiently and wait? Or do you get road rage, like me, and take it out on other drivers? Just like the kids, us adults too have problems struggling with delayed gratification, especially when something is right in front of us or if we know have other plans for ourselves.
Others look at it like a challenge. A girl from Mischell’s study, Carolyn, says “if you give me a challenge or a task, then I’m going to find a way to do it, even if it means not eating my favorite food.” I could also relate to this mindset of delayed gratification, because it is treating the wait as a challenge, and I hate to lose. I think many people could relate with my opinions on delayed gratification and how I believe sometimes instant gratification can be more rewarding.
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