Gratification Delay and Parenting Behaviour: A Study on Pre-School Children

This study examined gratification delay and parenting behaviour among the preschoolers. Maternal child-rearing approaches have been identified as important in the development of children's capacity to delay gratification (e.g., Olson et al., 1990; Vaughn et al., 1984). The participants in the study were divided into two subgroups of 'success' and 'failures' with the help of an activity planned on the basis of the famous 'Stanford Marshmallow Experiment' (Mischel et al., 1972). A self report of maternal parenting style was obtained. A behavioral checklist was also filled up by the mother and the teacher of these subjects. The results indicated a significant difference in the parenting of preschoolers who could delay gratification and those who could not. Significant difference was also obtained in the disruptive behaviour exhibited by the two groups of preschoolers as rated by their teachers and mothers.