series of studies on delayed gratification in the late 1960s and early 1970s led by psychologist Walter Mischel, then a professor
at Stanford University. (per Wikipedia)
Tim Elmore posted:
In the experiment, young children are seated in a room and a marshmallow is placed on a table in front of them. Stanford psychologist Walter Mischel and his team, then told the children they could eat the marshmallow anytime they wished—but if they waited 15 minutes, until an adult returned, they’d get two marshmallows. The results are entertaining to watch, as many of the kids just couldn’t wait, while others looked it over, sniffed it, touched it to their lips…but they waited to eat it.
The fascinating outcomes showed up years later in the early 1980s. Researchers tracked down those same kids as young adults and discovered the ones who were able to wait for two marshmallows at age four, had much higher SAT scores and better academic records at teens. These results are sparking new thinking on what helps kids succeed in both school and life—and it
isn’t always a high I.Q. Instead, its non-cognitive skills, such as the ability to delay gratification. In fact, researchers now say that it is “executive function” skills such as self-control, perseverance, patience and long-term flexible thinking that enables kids to
flourish.
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Just a little boost to the philosophy that character is where we need to focus our attention as parents. Plus, this is another example of Science confirming what God has told us His plan is for our lives. His desire is for us to bear the fruit of godly character, the fruit of the Spirit living in us:
Gal.5: 22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.”
II Peter 1: 5.6 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;”