The Marshmallow Test
I recently watched a video of an experiment administered to young children to test their ability to postpone gratification (watch the video below). The child was seated at a table and set before them was a single marshmallow. They were given the option to eat the one marshmallow immediately or wait a while and be given an additional marshmallow. It was entertaining watching them. Some of the children immediately gobbled the one marshmallow, others tantalizingly smelled the marshmallow, others would take little nibbles, many waited. The experiment illustrates the choices each of us make to have it now or have more later. Every day we face similar choices and we ask ourselves the questions, "Do I act on impulse or do I exhibit self control?" "Do I indulge in the moment or do I delay some pleasure now so that I can enjoy a greater pleasure later?" This matter has implications in all areas of our life, but certainly there i...