In 1960 a famous experiment was conducted at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, by researchers, Walter Mischel and Ebbe Ebbesen. Mischel and Ebbesen proposed an experiment in delayed gratification. Four to six year olds were brought into a room by the tester. Here is a summary of the original experiment:

The purpose of the original study was to understand when the control of delayed gratification, the ability to wait to obtain something that one wants, develops in children. The original experiment took place at the Bing Nursery School located at Stanford University, using children ages four to six as subjects. The children were led into a room, empty of distractions, where a treat of their choice (Oreo cookie, marshmallow, or pretzel stick) was placed on a table, by a chair. The children could eat the treat, the researchers said, but if they waited for fifteen minutes without giving in to the temptation, they would be rewarded with a second treat. Mischel observed that some would "cover their eyes with their hands or turn around so that they can't see the tray, others start kicking the desk, or tug on their pigtails, or stroke the marshmallow as if it were a tiny stuffed animal," while others would simply eat the marshmallow as soon as the researchers left.

In over 600 children who took part in the experiment, a minority ate the marshmallow immediately. Of those who attempted to delay, one third deferred gratification long enough to get the second marshmallow.Age was a major determinant of deferred gratification.

Here comes the kicker. The researchers tracked these toddlers for the next 40 years! The results are fascinating. The toddlers who successfully delayed gratification of their desires were more successful in life, had higher SAT scores, lower levels of substance abuse, lower likelihood of obesity, better responses to stress, better social skills as reported by their parents, and generally better scores in a range of other life measures.

What does all this teach us? True for toddlers then and true for adults now, delayed gratification, or not satisfying your immediate desires, is a big deal. It is a way of expressing your self-control and self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. To practice self-control and restrain yourself from yielding to temptation pays great dividends in the long term. It yields a pure conscience, a trusting spouse, a consistent model for your children, a sincere morality and lifestyle, and a vital connection to the God of heaven.

So, as the old hymn says, “Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin.” Practice self-control when faced with those temptations and remember the marshmallows!

Irv