Preference for delayed reward as a function of age, intelligence, and length of delay interval.

Relation Between Time Perspective and Delay Discounting: A Literature Review

“…In addition, Murrell and Mingrone (1994) found that need for achievement, self-monitoring, and overall length of time diaries predicted future time perspective, adding support to the relation between future time perspective and general achievement-related behavior. Despite the number of studies examining scholastic performance and future time perspective, few studies have looked at the relation between measures of intelligence and measures of future time perspective, and those that did found small positive or no correlations (Blatt & Quinlan, 1967;Mischel & Metzner, 1962;Prenda & Lachman, 2001). Thus it appears that, although educational attainment is positively related to a more extensive future time perspective (without speculating about the direction of causality), a significant relation to measures of general intellectual function has not been established.…”

Currency value moderates equity preference among young children

“…This trajectory could reflect a maturing ability to inhibit the desire to take all of the stickers present. However, in the current DG, 5-and 6-year olds are far more likely to resist this temptation for immediate gratification than same age children in classic delay of gratification tasks (Mischel & Metzner, 1962;Thompson, Barresi & Moore, 1997). Thus, any effects of developing inhibitory control must be supplemented by a process of socialization as children adopt social norms for giving (Eisenberg & Fabes, 1998).…”

Willpower in children and adults: a survey of results and economic implications

“…Indeed, measures of willpower for the child may provide useful insights into the nature of willpower, and these may also be reliable predictors of economic outcomes in the adult. In this respect, Mischel and Metzner (1962) and Mischel and Mischel (1983) found evidence that the ability to delay gratification and resist temptation is positively related to age: as children grow older they become more skilled in self-control, and also increasingly discover how to employ self-control strategies to overcome temptations.…”