Notes on Delayed Gratification and Success

Introduction

• Discussion on the importance of delayed gratification for success.
• Reference to a famous psychological experiment conducted at Stanford University.

The Marshmallow Experiment

• Setup: Children (aged 4) placed in a room with a marshmallow.
  • Told they would get a second marshmallow if they could wait 15 minutes without eating the first one.
• Results:
  • About 2 out of 3 children ate the marshmallow before the 15 minutes were up.
  • Only 1 out of 3 was able to resist and wait.
• Behavior of Children:
  • Those who waited would look at the marshmallow, distract themselves, and try to engage in other activities.

Key Insight

• The ability to delay gratification is linked to self-discipline.
• Self-discipline is identified as a crucial factor for long-term success in life.

Follow-Up Study (15 Years Later)

• The children who waited for the marshmallow were tracked at ages 18-19.
  • Outcomes for non-eaters: 100% had good grades, were happy, had solid plans, and maintained good relationships.
  • Outcomes for eaters: Many faced difficulties, had poor academic performance, and some dropped out of school.

Cultural Comparison: Experiment in Colombia

• Hypothesis: Would Hispanic children react similarly to American children in the marshmallow experiment?
• Experiment conducted with 4, 5, and 6-year-olds in Colombia.
• Results: Similar to the original study - 2 out of 3 ate the marshmallow, but some resisted.
  • Notable instance: A girl ate the inside of the marshmallow to deceive about her action.

Implications of Findings

• The characteristics of delaying gratification can indicate future success.
• Observations on sales context: Successful salespeople delay gratification by asking questions to ensure good choices, just like children who wait.

Conclusion

• Acknowledgment of a Korean initiative to create a marshmallow book to teach children about self-discipline and delayed gratification.
• Emphasis on the need for such teachings in the United States, citing issues like national debt and consumption behaviors.

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• Final Note: The importance of teaching children these principles for better societal outcomes.