The ability to manage thoughts, regulate emotions, and curb impulses is one of the keys to a happy and healthy life. Individuals with good self-control typically have higher mental health and are more successful in education and work. In contrast, low self-control can lead to various problems, including addiction and impulsive buying.
Walter Mischel's Research
Walter Mischel, a renowned psychologist who has taught at Stanford and Columbia universities, conducted some of the most famous studies on delay of gratification in the late 1960s and 1970s. In his book titled "The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control," he expanded on this research. In this study, children aged three to five were presented with a marshmallow and had two options: they could eat it immediately or wait 20 minutes to receive two marshmallows.
Read more: CDC updated the measles count and reported two deaths
Amazing Findings
Mischel and his colleagues followed these children and reached interesting results over time. Children who struggled with delaying gratification typically performed poorly in academics and social skills and had difficulties managing anger and frustration during adolescence.
Over time, other large-scale studies conducted on more diverse social and ethnic samples showed that the ability to delay gratification is more related to parental education and the home environment of the children. These findings suggest that self-control is not a fixed trait and that social conditions can have a significant impact on it.
Additionally, when the marshmallow test was conducted on adults, the results obtained could not predict their performance. This makes sense because most adults do not face the inability to eat one marshmallow. However, if the temptation is more suitable for adults, such as a salted caramel cake or immediate access to social media, the situation may be different.
Angela Narian, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Denver, works with low-income families in her research to identify resilience processes that prevent intergenerational trauma. She explains how to support high-pressure parents in regulating emotions and self-control.
She says, "I encourage adults to recognize negative emotions in the moment and then try to confront them. Even if these emotions do not completely go away, their intensity decreases. If we ride the wave of negative emotions instead of reacting, we can think better and have more control over the next action."
Conclusion
We all likely indulge in various forms of instant gratification at times, but if we satisfy all our desires immediately, we miss out on greater rewards. Learning and practicing self-control is essential for a good life, and these skills can be learned at any age. Ultimately, these skills help us maintain our strength and self-esteem.
Read more: Doctors urged the U.S. Senate to reject Heidi Overton's nomination
