Final answer:
The statement that children who focused on non-cookie-related thoughts exhibited a greater ability to delay gratification is true, based on Mischel's marshmallow test and subsequent studies. This reflects the importance of self-regulation and cognitive strategies in the development of self-control, with long-term implications on various aspects of success and well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that children who focused on non-cookie-related thoughts were better able to delay gratification than those focused on cookie-related thoughts is true. This conclusion stems from the groundbreaking work of psychologist Walter Mischel and his famed marshmallow test. In this study, children were offered a choice between one immediate reward (a marshmallow) or two rewards if they could wait for a period without giving in to temptation. To distract themselves, some children would turn their attention away from the tempting treat by covering their eyes, singing, or imagining the marshmallow as something non-edible, like a cloud. These strategies of cognitive distraction were associated with an increased ability to wait for the larger reward, demonstrating early forms of self-control and willpower.
Further testing revealed that these characteristics had long-term implications. Children who showed an ability to delay gratification scored higher on measures of academic success, such as SAT scores, were more successful in relationships, and had better overall well-being. Those with less self-control encountered more difficulties academically and behaviorally. The concept of delay of gratification is linked to the development of self-regulation, an essential skill in academic and personal achievement. This skill is tied to a larger set of cognitive processes including attention control, inhibition, and working memory, all of which play roles in a child's ability to control immediate impulses and make decisions that lead to more positive long-term outcomes.