Chapter 1. Can Young Children Delay Gratification?

Human Development Video Activity

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Can Young Children Delay Gratification?

This clip shows an experiment that uses candy to investigate whether young children are able to delay gratification. A hidden camera confirms that most children are unable to overcome temptation in spite of a reward for delaying gratification. This inability is due to insufficient development in the brain area that allows children to resist temptation.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

1.

1. What is the offer presented to the children in the study?

They can have a piece of candy now and then three more later.

They can abstain from having a piece of candy now and receive three later.

They can have as much candy as they want while the adults are out of the room.

They can have candy if they behave well.

Correct!

Incorrect. If they do not eat the one piece of candy immediately, they can have three pieces later.

2.

2. What fraction of the children is able to resist the temptation of eating the candy immediately?

none

one-third

one-half

two-thirds

Correct!

Incorrect. One-third of the children are able to resist the temptation of eating the candy immediately.

3.

3. What explanation is proposed to explain the results of the study?

Immature frontal lobes of the brain lead to poor impulse control.

Ineffective parenting leads to impulsive children.

Many children have a genetic defect leading to the inability to resist temptation.

Immature occipital lobes of the brain lead to poor impulse control.

Correct!

Incorrect. Immature frontal lobes of the brain lead to poor impulse control.

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Chapter 1. Can Young Children Delay Gratification?

Synopsis

Can Young Children Delay Gratification?

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