In our most recent critical thinking class we discussed the secret to success.  According to Walter Mischel that secret may be self-control.  Back in the sixties, Mischel developed what has come to be known as the marshmallow test.  Young children were offered a delectable single marshmallow, but told that if they held off and didn’t eat the marshmallow, fifteen minutes later they would be given two that they could then devour.  Most of the children (two thirds) either ate the first marshmallow immediately or couldn’t hold out for the entire 15 minutes.  One third, however, were able to delay gratification long enough to be rewarded with the second prize.

It looked like this.

Following up with the experimental subjects years and subsequently decades later showed that there was a positive correlation of delayed gratification with a number of different outcomes such as high SAT scores, decreased incidents of substance abuse, lower body mass indices, rewarding/successful careers etc.  While other researchers were focussed on using intelligence testing to predict various types of life success, Mischel was convinced that self control measured by delayed gratification was a more accurate and useful predictor.

An Article by Jonah Lehrer in The New Yorker.

While there may be a strong genetic basis for one’s ability to exercise self-control, Mischel as well as Dan Ariely, a behavioural economist, believe that it can be learned at least to a certain extent.  Mischel illustrated this in later tests by giving children some tips on self distraction techniques which enabled them to hold out long enough to get the extra reward.

Dan Ariely’s take on the topic.

On a personal note, I vividly remember one report card I received in grade one.  In addition to grade and effort evaluation for each subject there was also a category called Self-Control.  On this particular report and specifically for Self-Control, I was given an N for Needs Improvement.  I was incensed.  It had only been days earlier that a siren was heard outside the classroom window and all of the students rushed to the window while I had remained at my desk continuing my important seat work.  What could the teacher have been thinking…    Maybe it was that thumb tack that I had put on her chair that one  time.

Enjoy the links!