Cognitive person variables in the delay of gratification of older children at risk.

Abstract

The components of self-regulation were analyzed, extending the self-imposed delay of gratification paradigm to older children with social adjustment problems. Delay behavior was related to a network of conceptually relevant cognitive person variables, consisting of attention deployment strategies during delay, knowledge of delay rules, and intelligence. A positive relationship was demonstrated between concurrent indexes of intelligence, attention deployment, and actual delay time. Moreover, attention deployment, measured as an individual differences variable during the delay process, had a direct, positive effect on delay behavior. Specifically, as the duration of delay and the frustration of the situation increased, children who spent a higher proportion of the time distracting themselves from the tempting elements of the delay situation were able to delay longer. The effect of attention deployment on delay behavior was significant even when age, intelligence, and delay rule knowledge were controlled. Likewise, delay rule knowledge significantly predicted delay time, even when age, attention deployment, and intelligence were controlled.

Cited by (34)

1. Emotion regulation: current status and future prospects
   Gross, James J. · 2015 · Psychological Inquiry
2. A cognitive-affective system theory of personality: Reconceptualizing situations, dispositions, dynamics, and invariance in personality structure
   Mischel, Walter, Shoda, Yuichi · 1995 · Psychological Review
3. Delay of gratification in children.
   Mischel, Walter, Shoda, Yuichi, Rodriguez, Monica L. · 1989 · Science
4. A hot/cool-system analysis of delay of gratification: dynamics of willpower
   Metcalfe, Janet, Mischel, Walter · 1999 · Psychological Review
5. Self-regulation failure: an overview.
   Baumeister, Roy F., Heatherton, Todd F. · 1996 · Psychological Inquiry

See all 251