EngineeringProfit

G - delayed Gratification
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The Stanford marshmallow experiment was a study on delayed gratification in 1972 led by psychologist Walter Mischel, a professor at Stanford University. In this study, a child was offered a choice between one small but immediate reward, or two small rewards if they waited for a period of time. During this time, the researcher left the room for about 15 minutes and then returned. The reward was either a marshmallow or pretzel stick, depending on the child's preference.

In follow-up studies, the researchers found that children who were able to wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes, as measured by SAT scores, educational attainment, body mass index (BMI), and other life measures.

2020-01-24 09:13

EngineeringProfit

A 2011 brain imaging study of a sample from the original Stanford participants when they reached mid-life showed key differences between those with high delay times and those with low delay times in the prefrontal cortex (more active in high delayers) when they were trying to control their responses to alluring temptations.

2020-01-24 09:17

EngineeringProfit

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive control, willful behavior, and decision-making. A 'deo volente' mental practice that centers on relinquishing control would result in decreased activity in this brain area.

Both religious fundamentalism and intense prayer — "which has, as its most fundamental concept, the surrendering of one's self" — reduces, suppresses and diminishes the activity in the prefrontal cortex and the frontal lobes connected with it, as well as the activity in the parietal lobes, hence could hamper the development of these parts of the brain in young sapiens.

2020-01-24 12:03