Don’t Eat the Marshmallow
November 20, 2009 · Print This Article
I just ran across this great TED Talks video by Joachim de Posada on DuckGoesMoo! De Posada discusses an experiment involving children, marshmallows, and self-discipline. Two important things stand out to me: 1) self-discipline really appears to be a significant factor in success, and self-discipline can manifest significantly in very small ways; and 2) self-discipline is not common. I believe self-discipline can be learned with effort and that such an investment in the self is about the most wonderful gift you can give your dreams.
I also feel that a person can effect change with effort. Wonder if there the third that showed discipline had different childhoods than the rest…
So, what you’re asking is whether or not the one third of children who demonstrate self-discipline are doing so because of how they’ve been raised or because they’re genetically predisposed to discipline? That’s not an easy question, and I doubt that there is enough research to make any sort of conclusive answer. As with most behaviors, I would imagine that it’s probably a confluence of both nature and nurture.