jtotheizzoe: Cute Kids Demonstrating Psychological Principles, Vol. 1 - Deferred Gratification!

Those kids are simply 110% adorbz. But why are they being tortured with marshmallows? 

This is a recreation of the famous Stanford Marshmallow Experiment (not to be confused with the Stanford Prison Experiment, which involved far less cuteness). The ability to process the idea of deferred gratification is not one we are born with. Rather we develop that skill in our early years. Certain percentages of kids are able to process the “deal” they are offered - getting two shmallows later if they can wait to eat the one they are left with - and some kids can’t resist.

It’s cute as hell to watch them try and distract themselves by covering their eyes, doing dances, singing songs. Some of them smell it, some even sneak a lick or a taste and set it back down so that they can satisfy their urges. Then again, some kids just eat the damn thing and say “Screw your deal, mean adult!”

It gets even more interesting - there’s good evidence that kids who are able to delay gratification experience fewer behavioral problems later in life and have higher grades.

Jonah Lehrer (in his always great way) tells the tale of the history of marshmallow experiments in America, and what it means for our neural circuitry, in this New Yorker #longread. Check it out.

(Video: Oh, The Temptation by Steve V)

(via dowhatevermakesyouhappy)