Here is an interesting article that discusses the relationship between the ability to delay gratification and an individual’s intelligence. According to the research, the authors noted the anterior prefrontal cortex activated both on tasks related to memory and intellect, as well as on decision-making related to gratification. The article notes that previous research had shown a relationship between self-control and intellect, but the mechanism for this had not been determined. With this region of the brain impacting these two areas of functioning, the connection appears more clear. From the article:
The results show that participants with the greatest activation in the brain region known as the anterior prefrontal cortex also scored the highest on intelligence tests and exhibited the best self-control during the financial reward test. This was the only brain region to show this relation. The results appear in the September issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Previous studies have shown that the anterior prefrontal cortex plays a role in integrating a variety of information. The authors suggest that greater activity in the anterior prefrontal cortex helps people not only to manage complex problems, resulting in higher intelligence, but also aids in dealing with simultaneous goals, leading to better self-control.
There are two other fascinating aspects noted in the article. First, the anterior prefrontal cortex is one of the last areas of the brain to fully mature. I believe this is consistent with the anecdotal observations by every parent in history on their teenagers. However, clinically speaking, there is definitely something to be said for individuals being able to delay gratification (even as children) and demonstrating healthier functioning relative to their more impulsive peers. I can’t cite specific research at the moment, but I’m pretty certain the ability to delay gratification would rank as a fairly important scale when measuring areas such as achievement, lifestyle health, etc. From a forensic/correctional perspective, this would also make some sense; criminality is often, in part, a function of impulsivity, and anyone who has work with offenders is aware that their ability to delay gratification is generally not one of their strong suits.
Back to the age-old question, though: With this knowledge, what do we do? This article suggests that knowing the neuropsychological link between intellect and the ability to delay gratification will allow for the development of methods to improve said ability. Let’s hope so. A significant amount of therapy is often either directly or indirectly involved in teaching clients how to control impulses - believe me, no small task. Personality disorders, individuals with substance abuse problems, individuals with organic brain dysfunction, etc.: All benefit tremendously when they develop the ability to wait/exercise restraint. That is, clients with issues such as these are typically impulsive, which negatively impacts their choices in the moment even when they are fully invested in the therapeutic process. Improving and individual’s ability to learn how to delay gratification could go a long way towards addressing these and other mental health issues.
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