Final answer:
Delayed gratification is the ability to postpone immediate gratification in favor of future rewards, indicative of self-control and associated with positive life outcomes. It's closely related to the concepts of grit and resilience, reflecting one's perseverance towards long-term goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of immediate rewards in order to receive greater rewards in the future. This psychological concept involves exercising self-control and is often seen as a sign of emotional maturity and foresight. Delayed gratification is not merely the process of delaying rewards indefinitely, nor is it related to the inability to resist immediate rewards. It is a deliberate choice to forgo short-term pleasure in favor of long-term satisfaction and achievements.
Studies by researchers suggest that delayed gratification is linked to numerous positive outcomes in life, including academic success, health, and social competence. For example, in a series of experiments known as the Marshmallow Tests, children who were able to wait for a longer period to receive a larger reward were found to have better life outcomes as measured by various indicators. Thus, the concept is often tied to grit or resilience, which can be defined as personal perseverance toward a task or goal. Grit involves pushing through difficulties to achieve long-term success, much like delayed gratification.